Slotted receptacle for payload handle to secure payload within a UAV

ABSTRACT

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a fuselage body having a cavity that forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload; an access opening positioned in the cargo bay adapted to receive the payload; a winch system positioned in an upper portion of the fuselage body above the cargo bay, the winch system configured to suspend the payload within the cargo bay; wherein a tether has a first end attached to the winch system and a second end attached to a payload coupling apparatus that includes a downwardly extending slot positioned above a lip of the payload coupling apparatus, the lip of the payload coupling apparatus is configured to extend through an opening in the handle of the payload to secure the payload to the handle of the payload; and wherein the upper portion of the fuselage body includes a vertical handle slot for receiving the handle of the payload.

BACKGROUND

An unmanned vehicle, which may also be referred to as an autonomousvehicle, is a vehicle capable of travel without a physically-presenthuman operator. An unmanned vehicle may operate in a remote-controlmode, in an autonomous mode, or in a partially autonomous mode.

When an unmanned vehicle operates in a remote-control mode, a pilot ordriver that is at a remote location can control the unmanned vehicle viacommands that are sent to the unmanned vehicle via a wireless link. Whenthe unmanned vehicle operates in autonomous mode, the unmanned vehicletypically moves based on pre-programmed navigation waypoints, dynamicautomation systems, or a combination of these. Further, some unmannedvehicles can operate in both a remote-control mode and an autonomousmode, and in some instances may do so simultaneously. For instance, aremote pilot or driver may wish to leave navigation to an autonomoussystem while manually performing another task, such as operating amechanical system for picking up objects, as an example.

Various types of unmanned vehicles exist for various differentenvironments. For instance, unmanned vehicles exist for operation in theair, on the ground, underwater, and in space. Examples includequad-copters and tail-sitter UAVs, among others. Unmanned vehicles alsoexist for hybrid operations in which multi-environment operation ispossible. Examples of hybrid unmanned vehicles include an amphibiouscraft that is capable of operation on land as well as on water or afloatplane that is capable of landing on water as well as on land. Otherexamples are also possible.

SUMMARY

The present embodiments are directed to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)having a fuselage body with a cavity that forms a cargo bay fortransporting a payload, a winch system positioned in an upper portion ofthe fuselage body above the cargo bay that is configured to suspend thepayload within the cargo bay, a tether having a first end attached tothe winch system and a second end attached to a payload couplingapparatus, and the UAV includes a handle slot for receiving a handle ofthe payload.

In one aspect, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is providing having afuselage body including a cavity that forms a cargo bay for transportinga payload; an access opening positioned in the cargo bay adapted toreceive the payload; a winch system positioned in an upper portion ofthe fuselage body above the cargo bay, the winch system configured tosuspend the payload within the cargo bay; wherein a tether has a firstend attached to the winch system and a second end attached to a payloadcoupling apparatus; wherein the payload coupling apparatus includes adownwardly extending slot positioned above a lip of the payload couplingapparatus, the lip of the payload coupling apparatus is configured toextend through an opening in the handle of the payload to secure thepayload to the handle of the payload; and wherein the upper portion ofthe fuselage body includes a vertical handle slot for receiving thehandle of the payload.

In another aspect, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided having afuselage body including a cavity that forms a cargo bay for transportinga payload; an access opening positioned in the cargo bay adapted toreceive the payload; a winch system positioned in an upper portion ofthe fuselage body above the cargo bay, the winch system configured tosuspend the payload within the cargo bay; wherein a tether has a firstend attached to the winch system and a second end attached to a payloadcoupling apparatus; wherein the payload coupling apparatus includes adownwardly extending slot positioned above a lip of the payload couplingapparatus, the lip of the payload coupling apparatus configured toextend through an opening in the handle of the payload to secure thepayload coupling apparatus to the handle of the payload; wherein a lowersurface of the upper portion of the fuselage body includes a handle slotfor receiving the handle of the payload; and wherein when the payload ispositioned in the cargo bay, the payload is upwardly movable to extendthe handle of the through the handle slot in the lower surface of theupper portion of the fuselage body to secure the handle of the payloadto the payload coupling apparatus.

In a further aspect, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided havinga fuselage body including a cavity that forms a cargo bay fortransporting a payload; an access opening positioned in the cargo bayadapted to receive the payload; a hatch door configured to be positionedover the cargo bay when the hatch door is in a closed position; a winchsystem positioned in the hatch door, the winch system configured tosuspend the payload within the cargo bay; wherein a tether has a firstend attached to the winch system and a second end attached to a payloadcoupling apparatus; wherein the payload coupling apparatus includes adownwardly extending slot positioned above a lip of the payload couplingapparatus, the lip of the payload coupling apparatus is configured toextend through an opening in the handle of the payload to secure thepayload coupling apparatus to the handle of the payload; wherein a lowersurface of the hatch door includes a handle slot for receiving thehandle of the payload; and wherein when the payload is positioned in thecargo bay and the hatch door is in the closed position over the cargobay, the handle of the payload extends through the handle slot and thehandle of the payload is secured to the payload coupling apparatus.

In another aspect, a method is provided including (i) providing anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a fuselage body having a cavitythat forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload, an access openingpositioned in the cargo bay adapted to receive the payload, a winchsystem positioned in an upper portion of the fuselage body above thecargo bay, the winch system configured to suspend the payload within thecargo bay, wherein a tether has a first end attached to the winch systemand a second end attached to a payload coupling apparatus, wherein thepayload coupling apparatus includes a downwardly extending slotpositioned above a lip of the payload coupling apparatus, the lip of thepayload coupling apparatus is configured to extend through an opening inthe handle of the payload to secure the payload to the handle of thepayload, and wherein the upper portion of the fuselage body includes avertical handle slot for receiving the handle of the payload; (ii)moving the payload into the cargo bay; (iii) moving the handle of thepayload through the vertical handle slot in the upper portion of thefuselage body; and (iv) moving the lip of the payload coupling apparatusthrough the opening in the handle of the payload to secure the payloadto the payload coupling apparatus.

In another aspect, a method is provided including (i) providing anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a fuselage body having a cavitythat forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload, an access openingpositioned in the cargo bay adapted to receive the payload, a winchsystem positioned in an upper portion of the fuselage body above thecargo bay, the winch system configured to suspend the payload within thecargo bay, wherein a tether has a first end attached to the winch systemand a second end attached to a payload coupling apparatus, wherein thepayload coupling apparatus includes a downwardly extending slotpositioned above a lip of the payload coupling apparatus, the lip of thepayload coupling apparatus is configured to extend through an opening inthe handle of the payload to secure the payload coupling apparatus tothe handle of the payload, wherein a lower surface of the upper portionof the fuselage body includes a handle slot for receiving the handle ofthe payload, and wherein when the payload is positioned in the cargobay, the payload is upwardly movable to extend the handle of the payloadthrough the handle slot in the lower surface of the upper portion of thefuselage body to secure the handle of the payload to the payloadcoupling apparatus; (ii) moving the payload into the cargo bay; (iii)moving the payload upwardly to move the handle of the payload throughthe vertical handle slot in the lower surface of the upper portion ofthe fuselage body; and (iv) moving the lip of the payload couplingapparatus through the opening in the handle of the payload to secure thepayload to the payload coupling apparatus.

In another aspect, a method is provided including (i) providing anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a fuselage body having a cavitythat forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload, an access openingpositioned in the cargo bay adapted to receive the payload, a hatch doorconfigured to be positioned over the cargo bay when the hatch door is ina closed position, a winch system positioned in the hatch door, thewinch system configured to suspend the payload within the cargo bay,wherein a tether has a first end attached to the winch system and asecond end attached to a payload coupling apparatus, wherein the payloadcoupling apparatus includes a downwardly extending slot positioned abovea lip of the payload coupling apparatus, the lip of the payload couplingapparatus is configured to extend through an opening in the handle ofthe payload to secure the payload to the handle of the payload, whereina lower surface of the hatch door includes a handle slot for receivingthe handle of the payload, and wherein when the payload is positioned inthe cargo bay and the hatch door is in the closed position over thecargo bay, the handle of the payload extends through the handle slot andthe handle of the payload is secured to the payload coupling apparatus;(ii) moving the payload into the cargo bay; and (iii) moving the hatchdoor into a closed position where the handle of the payload is movedthrough the handle slot to secure the handle of the payload to thepayload coupling apparatus.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the followingdetailed description with reference where appropriate to theaccompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that thedescription provided in this summary section and elsewhere in thisdocument is intended to illustrate the claimed subject matter by way ofexample and not by way of limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of an example unmanned aerial vehicle 100,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a simplified illustration of an unmanned aerial vehicle,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 1C is a simplified illustration of an unmanned aerial vehicle,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 1D is a simplified illustration of an unmanned aerial vehicle,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 1E is a simplified illustration of an unmanned aerial vehicle,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of anunmanned aerial vehicle, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a UAV system,according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show a payload delivery apparatus, according toexample embodiments.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a payload delivery apparatus 500including payload 510, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view of payload delivery apparatus 500and payload 510 shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a side view of payload delivery apparatus 500 and payload 510shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of payload coupling apparatus 800,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a side view of payload coupling apparatus 800 shown in FIG.6A.

FIG. 6C is a front view of payload coupling apparatus 800 shown in FIGS.6A and 6B.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of payload coupling apparatus 800 shown inFIGS. 6A-6C, prior to insertion into a payload coupling apparatusreceptacle positioned in the fuselage of a UAV.

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of payload coupling apparatus 800shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, prior to insertion into a payload couplingapparatus receptacle positioned in the fuselage of a UAV.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a recessed restraint slot and payloadcoupling apparatus receptacle positioned in a fuselage of a UAV.

FIG. 10A shows a side view of a payload delivery apparatus 500 with ahandle 511 of payload 510 secured within a payload coupling apparatus800 as the payload 510 moves downwardly prior to touching down fordelivery.

FIG. 10B shows a side view of payload delivery apparatus 500 afterpayload 510 has landed on the ground showing payload coupling apparatus800 decoupled from handle 511 of payload 510.

FIG. 10C shows a side view of payload delivery apparatus 500 withpayload coupling apparatus 800 moving away from handle 511 of payload510.

FIG. 11A is a side view of handle 511 of payload 510 having openings 514and 516 adapted to receive pins positioned on a payload holder,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a side view of handle 511′ of a payload having magnets 514′and 516′ positioned thereon for magnetic engagement with a payloadholder, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a pair of locking pins 570, 572 extending through holes514 and 516 in handle 511 of payload 510 to secure the handle 511 andtop of payload 510 within the fuselage of a UAV, or to secure the handle511 to a payload holder on a payload retrieval apparatus.

FIG. 13A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 1000 with a cargo bay 1020for holding a payload 1040.

FIG. 13B is a perspective top view of UAV 1000 with an upper hatch door1080 in an open position.

FIGS. 14-17 show a cross-sectional side view of the loading of UAV 1000through the upper hatch door 1080.

FIGS. 18-21 show a cross-sectional side view of the loading of a UAV1200 through an upper hatch door 1280.

FIGS. 22A-22F show a cross-sectional side view of the loading of a UAV1300 through an upper hatch door 1380.

FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional side view of a UAV 1400 with a movablestage 1470 in a lower position.

FIG. 23B is a cross-section side view of the UAV 1400 with a package1440A secured against the movable stage 1470.

FIG. 23C is a cross-sectional side view of the UAV 1400 with anotherpackage 1440B secured against the movable stage 1470.

FIGS. 24-27 show a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of loadingthe UAV 1400 by moving the movable stage 1470.

FIGS. 28-31 show a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment ofloading the UAV 1400 by moving the movable stage 1470.

FIGS. 32A-32D show a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment ofloading the UAV 1400 by moving the movable stage 1470.

FIG. 33 is a perspective bottom view of a UAV 1600 with an open cargobay 1620.

FIG. 34 is a perspective button view of another UAV 1800 with an opencargo bay 1820.

FIG. 35 is a side view showing the air flow dynamics around the fuselageof the UAV 1600.

FIG. 36A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2030 and 2032 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 36B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2030 and 2032 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 37A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2050 and 2052 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 37B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2050 and 2052 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 38A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2060 and 2062 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 38B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2060 and 2062 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 39A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2070 and 2072 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 39B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2070 and 2072 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 40A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2080 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010.

FIG. 40B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2080 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010.

FIG. 40C is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2080 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010.

FIG. 41A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2090 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010.

FIG. 41B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2090 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010.

FIG. 42A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2100 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010.

FIG. 42B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2100 in a folded up open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 43A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2200 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010.

FIG. 43B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2100 in a rolled up open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010.

FIG. 44A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340being inserted into fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300.

FIG. 44B is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2341being inserted into cargo bay 2365 of fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300.

FIG. 45A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340positioned in fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300.

FIG. 45B is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340secured to hatch door 2370 and being inserted into fuselage body 2310 ofUAV 2300.

FIG. 46A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340being inserted into fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300.

FIG. 46B is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340secured to hatch door 2390 and being inserted into fuselage body 2310 ofUAV 2300.

FIG. 47A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340being inserted into cargo bay 2420 in fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300.

FIG. 47B is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340positioned in the fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300.

FIG. 48A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2440prior to being positioned in cargo bay 2420 of fuselage body 2310 of UAV2300.

FIG. 48B is a close up perspective view of payload 2440 prior toinsertion of payload 2440 into cargo bay 2420 of fuselage body 2310 ofUAV 2300.

FIG. 49A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2440prior to being positioned in cargo bay 2420 of fuselage body 2310 of UAV2300.

FIG. 49B is a close up perspective view of payload 2440 prior toinsertion of payload 2440 into cargo bay 2420 of fuselage body 2310 ofUAV 2300.

FIG. 50A is a perspective view illustrating hatch door 2600 beinglowered onto payload 2340.

FIG. 50B is a perspective view illustrating hatch door 2600 beinglowered onto payload 2340, with handle 2350 of payload 2340 entering abottom surface of hatch door 2600.

FIG. 50C is a perspective view of hatch door 2600 secured to payload2340.

FIG. 51A is a perspective view of hatch door 2600 secured to payload2340 positioned above cargo bay 2720 of fuselage body 2710 of UAV 2700.

FIG. 51B is another perspective view of hatch door 2600 secured topayload 2340 positioned above cargo bay 2720 of fuselage body 2710 ofUAV 2700.

FIG. 51C is a perspective view of hatch door 2600 positioned in fuselagebody 2710 of UAV 2700.

FIG. 51D is another perspective view of hatch door 2600 positioned infuselage body 2710 of UAV 2700.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary methods and systems are described herein. It should beunderstood that the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving asan example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation or featuredescribed herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily tobe construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations orfeatures. In the figures, similar symbols typically identify similarcomponents, unless context dictates otherwise. The exampleimplementations described herein are not meant to be limiting. It willbe readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, asgenerally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can bearranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a widevariety of different configurations, all of which are contemplatedherein.

Herein, the terms “unmanned aerial vehicle” and “UAV” refer to anyautonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle that is capable of performing somefunctions without a physically present human pilot.

A UAV can take various forms. For example, a UAV may take the form of afixed-wing aircraft, a glider aircraft, a tail-sitter aircraft, a jetaircraft, a ducted fan aircraft, a lighter-than-air dirigible such as ablimp or steerable balloon, a rotorcraft such as a helicopter ormulticopter, and/or an ornithopter, among other possibilities. Further,the terms “drone,” “unmanned aerial vehicle system” (UAVS), or “unmannedaerial system” (UAS) may also be used to refer to a UAV.

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of an example UAV 100. UAV 100 includeswing 102, booms 104, and a fuselage 106. Wings 102 may be stationary andmay generate lift based on the wing shape and the UAV's forwardairspeed. For instance, the two wings 102 may have an airfoil-shapedcross section to produce an aerodynamic force on UAV 100. In someembodiments, wing 102 may carry horizontal propulsion units 108, andbooms 104 may carry vertical propulsion units 110. In operation, powerfor the propulsion units may be provided from a battery compartment 112of fuselage 106. In some embodiments, fuselage 106 also includes anavionics compartment 114, an additional battery compartment (not shown)and/or a delivery unit (not shown, e.g., a winch system) for handlingthe payload. In some embodiments, fuselage 106 is modular, and two ormore compartments (e.g., battery compartment 112, avionics compartment114, other payload and delivery compartments) are detachable from eachother and securable to each other (e.g., mechanically, magnetically, orotherwise) to contiguously form at least a portion of fuselage 106.

In some embodiments, booms 104 terminate in rudders 116 for improved yawcontrol of UAV 100. Further, wings 102 may terminate in wing tips 117for improved control of lift of the UAV.

In the illustrated configuration, UAV 100 includes a structural frame.The structural frame may be referred to as a “structural H-frame” or an“H-frame” (not shown) of the UAV. The H-frame may include, within wings102, a wing spar (not shown) and, within booms 104, boom carriers (notshown). In some embodiments the wing spar and the boom carriers may bemade of carbon fiber, hard plastic, aluminum, light metal alloys, orother materials. The wing spar and the boom carriers may be connectedwith clamps. The wing spar may include pre-drilled holes for horizontalpropulsion units 108, and the boom carriers may include pre-drilledholes for vertical propulsion units 110.

In some embodiments, fuselage 106 may be removably attached to theH-frame (e.g., attached to the wing spar by clamps, configured withgrooves, protrusions or other features to mate with correspondingH-frame features, etc.). In other embodiments, fuselage 106 similarlymay be removably attached to wings 102. The removable attachment offuselage 106 may improve quality and or modularity of UAV 100. Forexample, electrical/mechanical components and/or subsystems of fuselage106 may be tested separately from, and before being attached to, theH-frame. Similarly, printed circuit boards (PCBs) 118 may be testedseparately from, and before being attached to, the boom carriers,therefore eliminating defective parts/subassemblies prior to completingthe UAV. For example, components of fuselage 106 (e.g., avionics,battery unit, delivery units, an additional battery compartment, etc.)may be electrically tested before fuselage 106 is mounted to theH-frame. Furthermore, the motors and the electronics of PCBs 118 mayalso be electrically tested before the final assembly. Generally, theidentification of the defective parts and subassemblies early in theassembly process lowers the overall cost and lead time of the UAV.Furthermore, different types/models of fuselage 106 may be attached tothe H-frame, therefore improving the modularity of the design. Suchmodularity allows these various parts of UAV 100 to be upgraded withouta substantial overhaul to the manufacturing process.

In some embodiments, a wing shell and boom shells may be attached to theH-frame by adhesive elements (e.g., adhesive tape, double-sided adhesivetape, glue, etc.). Therefore, multiple shells may be attached to theH-frame instead of having a monolithic body sprayed onto the H-frame. Insome embodiments, the presence of the multiple shells reduces thestresses induced by the coefficient of thermal expansion of thestructural frame of the UAV. As a result, the UAV may have betterdimensional accuracy and/or improved reliability.

Moreover, in at least some embodiments, the same H-frame may be usedwith the wing shell and/or boom shells having different size and/ordesign, therefore improving the modularity and versatility of the UAVdesigns. The wing shell and/or the boom shells may be made of relativelylight polymers (e.g., closed cell foam) covered by the harder, butrelatively thin, plastic skins.

The power and/or control signals from fuselage 106 may be routed to PCBs118 through cables running through fuselage 106, wings 102, and booms104. In the illustrated embodiment, UAV 100 has four PCBs, but othernumbers of PCBs are also possible. For example, UAV 100 may include twoPCBs, one per the boom. The PCBs carry electronic components 119including, for example, power converters, controllers, memory, passivecomponents, etc. In operation, propulsion units 108 and 110 of UAV 100are electrically connected to the PCBs.

Many variations on the illustrated UAV are possible. For instance,fixed-wing UAVs may include more or fewer rotor units (vertical orhorizontal), and/or may utilize a ducted fan or multiple ducted fans forpropulsion. Further, UAVs with more wings (e.g., an “x-wing”configuration with four wings), are also possible. Although FIG. 1illustrates two wings 102, two booms 104, two horizontal propulsionunits 108, and six vertical propulsion units 110 per boom 104, it shouldbe appreciated that other variants of UAV 100 may be implemented withmore or less of these components. For example, UAV 100 may include fourwings 102, four booms 104, and more or less propulsion units (horizontalor vertical).

Similarly, FIG. 1B shows another example of a fixed-wing UAV 120. Thefixed-wing UAV 120 includes a fuselage 122, two wings 124 with anairfoil-shaped cross section to provide lift for the UAV 120, a verticalstabilizer 126 (or fin) to stabilize the plane's yaw (turn left orright), a horizontal stabilizer 128 (also referred to as an elevator ortailplane) to stabilize pitch (tilt up or down), landing gear 130, and apropulsion unit 132, which can include a motor, shaft, and propeller.

FIG. 1C shows an example of a UAV 140 with a propeller in a pusherconfiguration. The term “pusher” refers to the fact that a propulsionunit 142 is mounted at the back of the UAV and “pushes” the vehicleforward, in contrast to the propulsion unit being mounted at the frontof the UAV. Similar to the description provided for FIGS. 1A and 1B,FIG. 1C depicts common structures used in a pusher plane, including afuselage 144, two wings 146, vertical stabilizers 148, and thepropulsion unit 142, which can include a motor, shaft, and propeller.

FIG. 1D shows an example of a tail-sitter UAV 160. In the illustratedexample, the tail-sitter UAV 160 has fixed wings 162 to provide lift andallow the UAV 160 to glide horizontally (e.g., along the x-axis, in aposition that is approximately perpendicular to the position shown inFIG. 1D). However, the fixed wings 162 also allow the tail-sitter UAV160 to take off and land vertically on its own.

For example, at a launch site, the tail-sitter UAV 160 may be positionedvertically (as shown) with its fins 164 and/or wings 162 resting on theground and stabilizing the UAV 160 in the vertical position. Thetail-sitter UAV 160 may then take off by operating its propellers 166 togenerate an upward thrust (e.g., a thrust that is generally along they-axis). Once at a suitable altitude, the tail-sitter UAV 160 may useits flaps 168 to reorient itself in a horizontal position, such that itsfuselage 170 is closer to being aligned with the x-axis than the y-axis.Positioned horizontally, the propellers 166 may provide forward thrustso that the tail-sitter UAV 160 can fly in a similar manner as a typicalairplane.

Many variations on the illustrated fixed-wing UAVs are possible. Forinstance, fixed-wing UAVs may include more or fewer propellers, and/ormay utilize a ducted fan or multiple ducted fans for propulsion.Further, UAVs with more wings (e.g., an “x-wing” configuration with fourwings), with fewer wings, or even with no wings, are also possible.

As noted above, some embodiments may involve other types of UAVs, inaddition to or in the alternative to fixed-wing UAVs. For instance, FIG.1E shows an example of a rotorcraft that is commonly referred to as amulticopter 180. The multicopter 180 may also be referred to as aquadcopter, as it includes four rotors 182. It should be understood thatexample embodiments may involve a rotorcraft with more or fewer rotorsthan the multicopter 180. For example, a helicopter typically has tworotors. Other examples with three or more rotors are possible as well.Herein, the term “multicopter” refers to any rotorcraft having more thantwo rotors, and the term “helicopter” refers to rotorcraft having tworotors.

Referring to the multicopter 180 in greater detail, the four rotors 182provide propulsion and maneuverability for the multicopter 180. Morespecifically, each rotor 182 includes blades that are attached to amotor 184. Configured as such, the rotors 182 may allow the multicopter180 to take off and land vertically, to maneuver in any direction,and/or to hover. Further, the pitch of the blades may be adjusted as agroup and/or differentially, and may allow the multicopter 180 tocontrol its pitch, roll, yaw, and/or altitude.

It should be understood that references herein to an “unmanned” aerialvehicle or UAV can apply equally to autonomous and semi-autonomousaerial vehicles. In an autonomous implementation, all functionality ofthe aerial vehicle is automated; e.g., pre-programmed or controlled viareal-time computer functionality that responds to input from varioussensors and/or pre-determined information. In a semi-autonomousimplementation, some functions of an aerial vehicle may be controlled bya human operator, while other functions are carried out autonomously.Further, in some embodiments, a UAV may be configured to allow a remoteoperator to take over functions that can otherwise be controlledautonomously by the UAV. Yet further, a given type of function may becontrolled remotely at one level of abstraction and performedautonomously at another level of abstraction. For example, a remoteoperator could control high level navigation decisions for a UAV, suchas by specifying that the UAV should travel from one location to another(e.g., from a warehouse in a suburban area to a delivery address in anearby city), while the UAV's navigation system autonomously controlsmore fine-grained navigation decisions, such as the specific route totake between the two locations, specific flight controls to achieve theroute and avoid obstacles while navigating the route, and so on.

More generally, it should be understood that the example UAVs describedherein are not intended to be limiting. Example embodiments may relateto, be implemented within, or take the form of any type of unmannedaerial vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of a UAV200, according to an example embodiment. UAV 200 may take the form of,or be similar in form to, one of the UAVs 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180described in reference to FIGS. 1A-1E. However, UAV 200 may also takeother forms.

UAV 200 may include various types of sensors, and may include acomputing system configured to provide the functionality describedherein. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors of UAV 200 include aninertial measurement unit (IMU) 202, ultrasonic sensor(s) 204, and a GPS206, among other possible sensors and sensing systems.

In the illustrated embodiment, UAV 200 also includes one or moreprocessors 208. A processor 208 may be a general-purpose processor or aspecial purpose processor (e.g., digital signal processors, applicationspecific integrated circuits, etc.). The one or more processors 208 canbe configured to execute computer-readable program instructions 212 thatare stored in the data storage 210 and are executable to provide thefunctionality of a UAV described herein.

The data storage 210 may include or take the form of one or morecomputer-readable storage media that can be read or accessed by at leastone processor 208. The one or more computer-readable storage media caninclude volatile and/or non-volatile storage components, such asoptical, magnetic, organic or other memory or disc storage, which can beintegrated in whole or in part with at least one of the one or moreprocessors 208. In some embodiments, the data storage 210 can beimplemented using a single physical device (e.g., one optical, magnetic,organic or other memory or disc storage unit), while in otherembodiments, the data storage 210 can be implemented using two or morephysical devices.

As noted, the data storage 210 can include computer-readable programinstructions 212 and perhaps additional data, such as diagnostic data ofthe UAV 200. As such, the data storage 210 may include programinstructions 212 to perform or facilitate some or all of the UAVfunctionality described herein. For instance, in the illustratedembodiment, program instructions 212 include a navigation module 214 anda tether control module 216.

In an illustrative embodiment, IMU 202 may include both an accelerometerand a gyroscope, which may be used together to determine an orientationof the UAV 200. In particular, the accelerometer can measure theorientation of the vehicle with respect to earth, while the gyroscopemeasures the rate of rotation around an axis. IMUs are commerciallyavailable in low-cost, low-power packages. For instance, an IMU 202 maytake the form of or include a miniaturized MicroElectroMechanical System(MEMS) or a NanoElectroMechanical System (NEMS). Other types of IMUs mayalso be utilized.

An IMU 202 may include other sensors, in addition to accelerometers andgyroscopes, which may help to better determine position and/or help toincrease autonomy of the UAV 200. Two examples of such sensors aremagnetometers and pressure sensors. In some embodiments, a UAV mayinclude a low-power, digital 3-axis magnetometer, which can be used torealize an orientation independent electronic compass for accurateheading information. However, other types of magnetometers may beutilized as well. Other examples are also possible. Further, note that aUAV could include some or all of the above-described inertia sensors asseparate components from an IMU.

UAV 200 may also include a pressure sensor or barometer, which can beused to determine the altitude of the UAV 200. Alternatively, othersensors, such as sonic altimeters or radar altimeters, can be used toprovide an indication of altitude, which may help to improve theaccuracy of and/or prevent drift of an IMU.

In a further aspect, UAV 200 may include one or more sensors that allowthe UAV to sense objects in the environment. For instance, in theillustrated embodiment, UAV 200 includes ultrasonic sensor(s) 204.Ultrasonic sensor(s) 204 can determine the distance to an object bygenerating sound waves and determining the time interval betweentransmission of the wave and receiving the corresponding echo off anobject. A typical application of an ultrasonic sensor for unmannedvehicles or IMUs is low-level altitude control and obstacle avoidance.An ultrasonic sensor can also be used for vehicles that need to hover ata certain height or need to be capable of detecting obstacles. Othersystems can be used to determine, sense the presence of, and/ordetermine the distance to nearby objects, such as a light detection andranging (LIDAR) system, laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system,and/or an infrared or forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system, amongother possibilities.

In some embodiments, UAV 200 may also include one or more imagingsystem(s). For example, one or more still and/or video cameras may beutilized by UAV 200 to capture image data from the UAV's environment. Asa specific example, charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras or complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) cameras can be used with unmannedvehicles. Such imaging sensor(s) have numerous possible applications,such as obstacle avoidance, localization techniques, ground tracking formore accurate navigation (e.g., by applying optical flow techniques toimages), video feedback, and/or image recognition and processing, amongother possibilities.

UAV 200 may also include a GPS receiver 206. The GPS receiver 206 may beconfigured to provide data that is typical of well-known GPS systems,such as the GPS coordinates of the UAV 200. Such GPS data may beutilized by the UAV 200 for various functions. As such, the UAV may useits GPS receiver 206 to help navigate to the caller's location, asindicated, at least in part, by the GPS coordinates provided by theirmobile device. Other examples are also possible.

The navigation module 214 may provide functionality that allows the UAV200 to, e.g., move about its environment and reach a desired location.To do so, the navigation module 214 may control the altitude and/ordirection of flight by controlling the mechanical features of the UAVthat affect flight (e.g., its rudder(s), elevator(s), aileron(s), and/orthe speed of its propeller(s)).

In order to navigate the UAV 200 to a target location, the navigationmodule 214 may implement various navigation techniques, such asmap-based navigation and localization-based navigation, for instance.With map-based navigation, the UAV 200 may be provided with a map of itsenvironment, which may then be used to navigate to a particular locationon the map. With localization-based navigation, the UAV 200 may becapable of navigating in an unknown environment using localization.Localization-based navigation may involve the UAV 200 building its ownmap of its environment and calculating its position within the mapand/or the position of objects in the environment. For example, as a UAV200 moves throughout its environment, the UAV 200 may continuously uselocalization to update its map of the environment. This continuousmapping process may be referred to as simultaneous localization andmapping (SLAM). Other navigation techniques may also be utilized.

In some embodiments, the navigation module 214 may navigate using atechnique that relies on waypoints. In particular, waypoints are sets ofcoordinates that identify points in physical space. For instance, anair-navigation waypoint may be defined by a certain latitude, longitude,and altitude. Accordingly, navigation module 214 may cause UAV 200 tomove from waypoint to waypoint, in order to ultimately travel to a finaldestination (e.g., a final waypoint in a sequence of waypoints).

In a further aspect, the navigation module 214 and/or other componentsand systems of the UAV 200 may be configured for “localization” to moreprecisely navigate to the scene of a target location. More specifically,it may be desirable in certain situations for a UAV to be within athreshold distance of the target location where a payload 228 is beingdelivered by a UAV (e.g., within a few feet of the target destination).To this end, a UAV may use a two-tiered approach in which it uses amore-general location-determination technique to navigate to a generalarea that is associated with the target location, and then use amore-refined location-determination technique to identify and/ornavigate to the target location within the general area.

For example, the UAV 200 may navigate to the general area of a targetdestination where a payload 228 is being delivered using waypointsand/or map-based navigation. The UAV may then switch to a mode in whichit utilizes a localization process to locate and travel to a morespecific location. For instance, if the UAV 200 is to deliver a payloadto a user's home, the UAV 200 may need to be substantially close to thetarget location in order to avoid delivery of the payload to undesiredareas (e.g., onto a roof, into a pool, onto a neighbor's property,etc.). However, a GPS signal may only get the UAV 200 so far (e.g.,within a block of the user's home). A more preciselocation-determination technique may then be used to find the specifictarget location.

Various types of location-determination techniques may be used toaccomplish localization of the target delivery location once the UAV 200has navigated to the general area of the target delivery location. Forinstance, the UAV 200 may be equipped with one or more sensory systems,such as, for example, ultrasonic sensors 204, infrared sensors (notshown), and/or other sensors, which may provide input that thenavigation module 214 utilizes to navigate autonomously orsemi-autonomously to the specific target location.

As another example, once the UAV 200 reaches the general area of thetarget delivery location (or of a moving subject such as a person ortheir mobile device), the UAV 200 may switch to a “fly-by-wire” modewhere it is controlled, at least in part, by a remote operator, who cannavigate the UAV 200 to the specific target location. To this end,sensory data from the UAV 200 may be sent to the remote operator toassist them in navigating the UAV 200 to the specific location.

As yet another example, the UAV 200 may include a module that is able tosignal to a passer-by for assistance in either reaching the specifictarget delivery location; for example, the UAV 200 may display a visualmessage requesting such assistance in a graphic display, play an audiomessage or tone through speakers to indicate the need for suchassistance, among other possibilities. Such a visual or audio messagemight indicate that assistance is needed in delivering the UAV 200 to aparticular person or a particular location, and might provideinformation to assist the passer-by in delivering the UAV 200 to theperson or location (e.g., a description or picture of the person orlocation, and/or the person or location's name), among otherpossibilities. Such a feature can be useful in a scenario in which theUAV is unable to use sensory functions or another location-determinationtechnique to reach the specific target location. However, this featureis not limited to such scenarios.

In some embodiments, once the UAV 200 arrives at the general area of atarget delivery location, the UAV 200 may utilize a beacon from a user'sremote device (e.g., the user's mobile phone) to locate the person. Sucha beacon may take various forms. As an example, consider the scenariowhere a remote device, such as the mobile phone of a person whorequested a UAV delivery, is able to send out directional signals (e.g.,via an RF signal, a light signal and/or an audio signal). In thisscenario, the UAV 200 may be configured to navigate by “sourcing” suchdirectional signals—in other words, by determining where the signal isstrongest and navigating accordingly. As another example, a mobiledevice can emit a frequency, either in the human range or outside thehuman range, and the UAV 200 can listen for that frequency and navigateaccordingly. As a related example, if the UAV 200 is listening forspoken commands, then the UAV 200 could utilize spoken statements, suchas “I'm over here!” to source the specific location of the personrequesting delivery of a payload.

In an alternative arrangement, a navigation module may be implemented ata remote computing device, which communicates wirelessly with the UAV200. The remote computing device may receive data indicating theoperational state of the UAV 200, sensor data from the UAV 200 thatallows it to assess the environmental conditions being experienced bythe UAV 200, and/or location information for the UAV 200. Provided withsuch information, the remote computing device may determine altitudinaland/or directional adjustments that should be made by the UAV 200 and/ormay determine how the UAV 200 should adjust its mechanical features(e.g., its rudder(s), elevator(s), aileron(s), and/or the speed of itspropeller(s)) in order to effectuate such movements. The remotecomputing system may then communicate such adjustments to the UAV 200 soit can move in the determined manner.

In a further aspect, the UAV 200 includes one or more communicationsystems 218. The communications systems 218 may include one or morewireless interfaces and/or one or more wireline interfaces, which allowthe UAV 200 to communicate via one or more networks. Such wirelessinterfaces may provide for communication under one or more wirelesscommunication protocols, such as Bluetooth, WiFi (e.g., an IEEE 802.11protocol), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX (e.g., an IEEE 802.16standard), a radio-frequency ID (RFID) protocol, near-fieldcommunication (NFC), and/or other wireless communication protocols. Suchwireline interfaces may include an Ethernet interface, a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) interface, or similar interface to communicate via awire, a twisted pair of wires, a coaxial cable, an optical link, afiber-optic link, or other physical connection to a wireline network.

In some embodiments, a UAV 200 may include communication systems 218that allow for both short-range communication and long-rangecommunication. For example, the UAV 200 may be configured forshort-range communications using Bluetooth and for long-rangecommunications under a CDMA protocol. In such an embodiment, the UAV 200may be configured to function as a “hot spot;” or in other words, as agateway or proxy between a remote support device and one or more datanetworks, such as a cellular network and/or the Internet. Configured assuch, the UAV 200 may facilitate data communications that the remotesupport device would otherwise be unable to perform by itself.

For example, the UAV 200 may provide a WiFi connection to a remotedevice, and serve as a proxy or gateway to a cellular service provider'sdata network, which the UAV might connect to under an LTE or a 3Gprotocol, for instance. The UAV 200 could also serve as a proxy orgateway to a high-altitude balloon network, a satellite network, or acombination of these networks, among others, which a remote device mightnot be able to otherwise access.

In a further aspect, the UAV 200 may include power system(s) 220. Thepower system 220 may include one or more batteries for providing powerto the UAV 200. In one example, the one or more batteries may berechargeable and each battery may be recharged via a wired connectionbetween the battery and a power supply and/or via a wireless chargingsystem, such as an inductive charging system that applies an externaltime-varying magnetic field to an internal battery.

The UAV 200 may employ various systems and configurations in order totransport and deliver a payload 228. In some implementations, thepayload 228 of a given UAV 200 may include or take the form of a“package” designed to transport various goods to a target deliverylocation. For example, the UAV 200 can include a compartment, in whichan item or items may be transported. Such a package may contain one ormore food items, purchased goods, medical items, or any other object(s)having a size and weight suitable to be transported between twolocations by the UAV. In other embodiments, a payload 228 may simply bethe one or more items that are being delivered (e.g., without anypackage housing the items).

In some embodiments, the payload 228 may be attached to the UAV andlocated substantially outside of the UAV during some or all of a flightby the UAV. For example, the package may be tethered or otherwisereleasably attached below the UAV during flight to a target location. Inan embodiment where a package carries goods below the UAV, the packagemay include various features that protect its contents from theenvironment, reduce aerodynamic drag on the system, and prevent thecontents of the package from shifting during UAV flight.

For instance, when the payload 228 takes the form of a package fortransporting items, the package may include an outer shell constructedof water-resistant cardboard, plastic, or any other lightweight andwater-resistant material. Further, in order to reduce drag, the packagemay feature smooth surfaces with a pointed front that reduces thefrontal cross-sectional area. Further, the sides of the package maytaper from a wide bottom to a narrow top, which allows the package toserve as a narrow pylon that reduces interference effects on the wing(s)of the UAV. This may move some of the frontal area and volume of thepackage away from the wing(s) of the UAV, thereby preventing thereduction of lift on the wing(s) caused by the package. Yet further, insome embodiments, the outer shell of the package may be constructed froma single sheet of material in order to reduce air gaps or extramaterial, both of which may increase drag on the system. Additionally oralternatively, the package may include a stabilizer to dampen packageflutter. This reduction in flutter may allow the package to have a lessrigid connection to the UAV and may cause the contents of the package toshift less during flight.

In order to deliver the payload, the UAV may include a winch system 221controlled by the tether control module 216 in order to lower thepayload 228 to the ground while the UAV hovers above. As shown in FIG. 2, the winch system 221 may include a tether 224, and the tether 224 maybe coupled to the payload 228 by a payload coupling apparatus 226. Thetether 224 may be wound on a spool that is coupled to a motor 222 of theUAV. The motor 222 may take the form of a DC motor (e.g., a servo motor)that can be actively controlled by a speed controller. The tethercontrol module 216 can control the speed controller to cause the motor222 to rotate the spool, thereby unwinding or retracting the tether 224and lowering or raising the payload coupling apparatus 226. In practice,the speed controller may output a desired operating rate (e.g., adesired RPM) for the spool, which may correspond to the speed at whichthe tether 224 and payload 228 should be lowered towards the ground. Themotor 222 may then rotate the spool so that it maintains the desiredoperating rate.

In order to control the motor 222 via the speed controller, the tethercontrol module 216 may receive data from a speed sensor (e.g., anencoder) configured to convert a mechanical position to a representativeanalog or digital signal. In particular, the speed sensor may include arotary encoder that may provide information related to rotary position(and/or rotary movement) of a shaft of the motor or the spool coupled tothe motor, among other possibilities. Moreover, the speed sensor maytake the form of an absolute encoder and/or an incremental encoder,among others. So in an example implementation, as the motor 222 causesrotation of the spool, a rotary encoder may be used to measure thisrotation. In doing so, the rotary encoder may be used to convert arotary position to an analog or digital electronic signal used by thetether control module 216 to determine the amount of rotation of thespool from a fixed reference angle and/or to an analog or digitalelectronic signal that is representative of a new rotary position, amongother options. Other examples are also possible.

Based on the data from the speed sensor, the tether control module 216may determine a rotational speed of the motor 222 and/or the spool andresponsively control the motor 222 (e.g., by increasing or decreasing anelectrical current supplied to the motor 222) to cause the rotationalspeed of the motor 222 to match a desired speed. When adjusting themotor current, the magnitude of the current adjustment may be based on aproportional-integral-derivative (PID) calculation using the determinedand desired speeds of the motor 222. For instance, the magnitude of thecurrent adjustment may be based on a present difference, a pastdifference (based on accumulated error over time), and a futuredifference (based on current rates of change) between the determined anddesired speeds of the spool.

In some embodiments, the tether control module 216 may vary the rate atwhich the tether 224 and payload 228 are lowered to the ground. Forexample, the speed controller may change the desired operating rateaccording to a variable deployment-rate profile and/or in response toother factors in order to change the rate at which the payload 228descends toward the ground. To do so, the tether control module 216 mayadjust an amount of braking or an amount of friction that is applied tothe tether 224. For example, to vary the tether deployment rate, the UAV200 may include friction pads that can apply a variable amount ofpressure to the tether 224. As another example, the UAV 200 can includea motorized braking system that varies the rate at which the spool letsout the tether 224. Such a braking system may take the form of anelectromechanical system in which the motor 222 operates to slow therate at which the spool lets out the tether 224. Further, the motor 222may vary the amount by which it adjusts the speed (e.g., the RPM) of thespool, and thus may vary the deployment rate of the tether 224. Otherexamples are also possible.

In some embodiments, the tether control module 216 may be configured tolimit the motor current supplied to the motor 222 to a maximum value.With such a limit placed on the motor current, there may be situationswhere the motor 222 cannot operate at the desired operating ratespecified by the speed controller. For instance, as discussed in moredetail below, there may be situations where the speed controllerspecifies a desired operating rate at which the motor 222 should retractthe tether 224 toward the UAV 200, but the motor current may be limitedsuch that a large enough downward force on the tether 224 wouldcounteract the retracting force of the motor 222 and cause the tether224 to unwind instead. And as further discussed below, a limit on themotor current may be imposed and/or altered depending on an operationalstate of the UAV 200.

In some embodiments, the tether control module 216 may be configured todetermine a status of the tether 224 and/or the payload 228 based on theamount of current supplied to the motor 222. For instance, if a downwardforce is applied to the tether 224 (e.g., if the payload 228 is attachedto the tether 224 or if the tether 224 gets snagged on an object whenretracting toward the UAV 200), the tether control module 216 may needto increase the motor current in order to cause the determinedrotational speed of the motor 222 and/or spool to match the desiredspeed. Similarly, when the downward force is removed from the tether 224(e.g., upon delivery of the payload 228 or removal of a tether snag),the tether control module 216 may need to decrease the motor current inorder to cause the determined rotational speed of the motor 222 and/orspool to match the desired speed. As such, the tether control module 216may be configured to monitor the current supplied to the motor 222. Forinstance, the tether control module 216 could determine the motorcurrent based on sensor data received from a current sensor of the motoror a current sensor of the power system 220. In any case, based on thecurrent supplied to the motor 222, determine if the payload 228 isattached to the tether 224, if someone or something is pulling on thetether 224, and/or if the payload coupling apparatus 226 is pressingagainst the UAV 200 after retracting the tether 224. Other examples arepossible as well.

During delivery of the payload 228, the payload coupling apparatus 226can be configured to secure the payload 228 while being lowered from theUAV by the tether 224, and can be further configured to release thepayload 228 upon reaching ground level. The payload coupling apparatus226 can then be retracted to the UAV by reeling in the tether 224 usingthe motor 222.

In some implementations, the payload 228 may be passively released onceit is lowered to the ground. For example, a passive release mechanismmay include one or more swing arms adapted to retract into and extendfrom a housing. An extended swing arm may form a hook on which thepayload 228 may be attached. Upon lowering the release mechanism and thepayload 228 to the ground via a tether, a gravitational force as well asa downward inertial force on the release mechanism may cause the payload228 to detach from the hook allowing the release mechanism to be raisedupwards toward the UAV. The release mechanism may further include aspring mechanism that biases the swing arm to retract into the housingwhen there are no other external forces on the swing arm. For instance,a spring may exert a force on the swing arm that pushes or pulls theswing arm toward the housing such that the swing arm retracts into thehousing once the weight of the payload 228 no longer forces the swingarm to extend from the housing. Retracting the swing arm into thehousing may reduce the likelihood of the release mechanism snagging thepayload 228 or other nearby objects when raising the release mechanismtoward the UAV upon delivery of the payload 228.

Active payload release mechanisms are also possible. For example,sensors such as a barometric pressure based altimeter and/oraccelerometers may help to detect the position of the release mechanism(and the payload) relative to the ground. Data from the sensors can becommunicated back to the UAV and/or a control system over a wirelesslink and used to help in determining when the release mechanism hasreached ground level (e.g., by detecting a measurement with theaccelerometer that is characteristic of ground impact). In otherexamples, the UAV may determine that the payload has reached the groundbased on a weight sensor detecting a threshold low downward force on thetether and/or based on a threshold low measurement of power drawn by thewinch when lowering the payload.

Other systems and techniques for delivering a payload, in addition or inthe alternative to a tethered delivery system are also possible. Forexample, a UAV 200 could include an air-bag drop system or a parachutedrop system. Alternatively, a UAV 200 carrying a payload could simplyland on the ground at a delivery location. Other examples are alsopossible.

UAV systems may be implemented in order to provide various UAV-relatedservices. In particular, UAVs may be provided at a number of differentlaunch sites that may be in communication with regional and/or centralcontrol systems. Such a distributed UAV system may allow UAVs to bequickly deployed to provide services across a large geographic area(e.g., that is much larger than the flight range of any single UAV). Forexample, UAVs capable of carrying payloads may be distributed at anumber of launch sites across a large geographic area (possibly eventhroughout an entire country, or even worldwide), in order to provideon-demand transport of various items to locations throughout thegeographic area. FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating adistributed UAV system 300, according to an example embodiment.

In the illustrative UAV system 300, an access system 302 may allow forinteraction with, control of, and/or utilization of a network of UAVs304. In some embodiments, an access system 302 may be a computing systemthat allows for human-controlled dispatch of UAVs 304. As such, thecontrol system may include or otherwise provide a user interface throughwhich a user can access and/or control the UAVs 304.

In some embodiments, dispatch of the UAVs 304 may additionally oralternatively be accomplished via one or more automated processes. Forinstance, the access system 302 may dispatch one of the UAVs 304 totransport a payload to a target location, and the UAV may autonomouslynavigate to the target location by utilizing various on-board sensors,such as a GPS receiver and/or other various navigational sensors.

Further, the access system 302 may provide for remote operation of aUAV. For instance, the access system 302 may allow an operator tocontrol the flight of a UAV via its user interface. As a specificexample, an operator may use the access system 302 to dispatch a UAV 304to a target location. The UAV 304 may then autonomously navigate to thegeneral area of the target location. At this point, the operator may usethe access system 302 to take control of the UAV 304 and navigate theUAV to the target location (e.g., to a particular person to whom apayload is being transported). Other examples of remote operation of aUAV are also possible.

In an illustrative embodiment, the UAVs 304 may take various forms. Forexample, each of the UAVs 304 may be a UAV such as those illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1E. However, UAV system 300 may also utilize other types ofUAVs without departing from the scope of the invention. In someimplementations, all of the UAVs 304 may be of the same or a similarconfiguration. However, in other implementations, the UAVs 304 mayinclude a number of different types of UAVs. For instance, the UAVs 304may include a number of types of UAVs, with each type of UAV beingconfigured for a different type or types of payload deliverycapabilities.

The UAV system 300 may further include a remote device 306, which maytake various forms. Generally, the remote device 306 may be any devicethrough which a direct or indirect request to dispatch a UAV can bemade. (Note that an indirect request may involve any communication thatmay be responded to by dispatching a UAV, such as requesting a packagedelivery). In an example embodiment, the remote device 306 may be amobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, personal computer, orany network-connected computing device. Further, in some instances, theremote device 306 may not be a computing device. As an example, astandard telephone, which allows for communication via plain oldtelephone service (POTS), may serve as the remote device 306. Othertypes of remote devices are also possible.

Further, the remote device 306 may be configured to communicate withaccess system 302 via one or more types of communication network(s) 308.For example, the remote device 306 may communicate with the accesssystem 302 (or a human operator of the access system 302) bycommunicating over a POTS network, a cellular network, and/or a datanetwork such as the Internet. Other types of networks may also beutilized.

In some embodiments, the remote device 306 may be configured to allow auser to request delivery of one or more items to a desired location. Forexample, a user could request UAV delivery of a package to their homevia their mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. As another example, a usercould request dynamic delivery to wherever they are located at the timeof delivery. To provide such dynamic delivery, the UAV system 300 mayreceive location information (e.g., GPS coordinates, etc.) from theuser's mobile phone, or any other device on the user's person, such thata UAV can navigate to the user's location (as indicated by their mobilephone).

In an illustrative arrangement, the central dispatch system 310 may be aserver or group of servers, which is configured to receive dispatchmessages requests and/or dispatch instructions from the access system302. Such dispatch messages may request or instruct the central dispatchsystem 310 to coordinate the deployment of UAVs to various targetlocations. The central dispatch system 310 may be further configured toroute such requests or instructions to one or more local dispatchsystems 312. To provide such functionality, the central dispatch system310 may communicate with the access system 302 via a data network, suchas the Internet or a private network that is established forcommunications between access systems and automated dispatch systems.

In the illustrated configuration, the central dispatch system 310 may beconfigured to coordinate the dispatch of UAVs 304 from a number ofdifferent local dispatch systems 312. As such, the central dispatchsystem 310 may keep track of which UAVs 304 are located at which localdispatch systems 312, which UAVs 304 are currently available fordeployment, and/or which services or operations each of the UAVs 304 isconfigured for (in the event that a UAV fleet includes multiple types ofUAVs configured for different services and/or operations). Additionallyor alternatively, each local dispatch system 312 may be configured totrack which of its associated UAVs 304 are currently available fordeployment and/or are currently in the midst of item transport.

In some cases, when the central dispatch system 310 receives a requestfor UAV-related service (e.g., transport of an item) from the accesssystem 302, the central dispatch system 310 may select a specific UAV304 to dispatch. The central dispatch system 310 may accordinglyinstruct the local dispatch system 312 that is associated with theselected UAV to dispatch the selected UAV. The local dispatch system 312may then operate its associated deployment system 314 to launch theselected UAV. In other cases, the central dispatch system 310 mayforward a request for a UAV-related service to a local dispatch system312 that is near the location where the support is requested and leavethe selection of a particular UAV 304 to the local dispatch system 312.

In an example configuration, the local dispatch system 312 may beimplemented as a computing system at the same location as the deploymentsystem(s) 314 that it controls. For example, the local dispatch system312 may be implemented by a computing system installed at a building,such as a warehouse, where the deployment system(s) 314 and UAV(s) 304that are associated with the particular local dispatch system 312 arealso located. In other embodiments, the local dispatch system 312 may beimplemented at a location that is remote to its associated deploymentsystem(s) 314 and UAV(s) 304.

Numerous variations on and alternatives to the illustrated configurationof the UAV system 300 are possible. For example, in some embodiments, auser of the remote device 306 could request delivery of a packagedirectly from the central dispatch system 310. To do so, an applicationmay be implemented on the remote device 306 that allows the user toprovide information regarding a requested delivery, and generate andsend a data message to request that the UAV system 300 provide thedelivery. In such an embodiment, the central dispatch system 310 mayinclude automated functionality to handle requests that are generated bysuch an application, evaluate such requests, and, if appropriate,coordinate with an appropriate local dispatch system 312 to deploy aUAV.

Further, some or all of the functionality that is attributed herein tothe central dispatch system 310, the local dispatch system(s) 312, theaccess system 302, and/or the deployment system(s) 314 may be combinedin a single system, implemented in a more complex system, and/orredistributed among the central dispatch system 310, the local dispatchsystem(s) 312, the access system 302, and/or the deployment system(s)314 in various ways.

Yet further, while each local dispatch system 312 is shown as having twoassociated deployment systems 314, a given local dispatch system 312 mayalternatively have more or fewer associated deployment systems 314.Similarly, while the central dispatch system 310 is shown as being incommunication with two local dispatch systems 312, the central dispatchsystem 310 may alternatively be in communication with more or fewerlocal dispatch systems 312.

In a further aspect, the deployment systems 314 may take various forms.In general, the deployment systems 314 may take the form of or includesystems for physically launching one or more of the UAVs 304. Suchlaunch systems may include features that provide for an automated UAVlaunch and/or features that allow for a human-assisted UAV launch.Further, the deployment systems 314 may each be configured to launch oneparticular UAV 304, or to launch multiple UAVs 304.

The deployment systems 314 may further be configured to provideadditional functions, including for example, diagnostic-relatedfunctions such as verifying system functionality of the UAV, verifyingfunctionality of devices that are housed within a UAV (e.g., a payloaddelivery apparatus), and/or maintaining devices or other items that arehoused in the UAV (e.g., by monitoring a status of a payload such as itstemperature, weight, etc.).

In some embodiments, the deployment systems 314 and their correspondingUAVs 304 (and possibly associated local dispatch systems 312) may bestrategically distributed throughout an area such as a city. Forexample, the deployment systems 314 may be strategically distributedsuch that each deployment system 314 is proximate to one or more payloadpickup locations (e.g., near a restaurant, store, or warehouse).However, the deployment systems 314 (and possibly the local dispatchsystems 312) may be distributed in other ways, depending upon theparticular implementation. As an additional example, kiosks that allowusers to transport packages via UAVs may be installed in variouslocations. Such kiosks may include UAV launch systems, and may allow auser to provide their package for loading onto a UAV and pay for UAVshipping services, among other possibilities. Other examples are alsopossible.

In a further aspect, the UAV system 300 may include or have access to auser-account database 316. The user-account database 316 may includedata for a number of user accounts, and which are each associated withone or more person. For a given user account, the user-account database316 may include data related to or useful in providing UAV-relatedservices. Typically, the user data associated with each user account isoptionally provided by an associated user and/or is collected with theassociated user's permission.

Further, in some embodiments, a person may be required to register for auser account with the UAV system 300, if they wish to be provided withUAV-related services by the UAVs 304 from UAV system 300. As such, theuser-account database 316 may include authorization information for agiven user account (e.g., a user name and password), and/or otherinformation that may be used to authorize access to a user account.

In some embodiments, a person may associate one or more of their deviceswith their user account, such that they can access the services of UAVsystem 300. For example, when a person uses an associated mobile phone,e.g., to place a call to an operator of the access system 302 or send amessage requesting a UAV-related service to a dispatch system, the phonemay be identified via a unique device identification number, and thecall or message may then be attributed to the associated user account.Other examples are also possible.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show a UAV 400 that includes a payload deliverysystem 410 (which could also be referred to as a payload deliveryapparatus), according to an example embodiment. As shown, payloaddelivery system 410 for UAV 400 includes a tether 402 coupled to a spool404, a payload latch 406, and a payload 408 coupled to the tether 402via a payload coupling apparatus 412. The payload latch 406 can functionto alternately secure payload 408 and release the payload 408 upondelivery. For instance, as shown, the payload latch 406 may take theform of one or more pins that can engage the payload coupling apparatus412 (e.g., by sliding into one or more receiving slots in the payloadcoupling apparatus 412). Inserting the pins of the payload latch 406into the payload coupling apparatus 412 may secure the payload couplingapparatus 412 within a receptacle 414 on the underside of the UAV 400,thereby preventing the payload 408 from being lowered from the UAV 400.In some embodiments, the payload latch 406 may be arranged to engage thespool 404 or the payload 408 rather than the payload coupling apparatus412 in order to prevent the payload 408 from lowering. In otherembodiments, the UAV 400 may not include the payload latch 406, and thepayload delivery apparatus may be coupled directly to the UAV 400.

In some embodiments, the spool 404 can function to unwind the tether 402such that the payload 408 can be lowered to the ground with the tether402 and the payload coupling apparatus 412 from UAV 400. The payload 408may itself be an item for delivery, and may be housed within (orotherwise incorporate) a parcel, container, or other structure that isconfigured to interface with the payload latch 406. In practice, thepayload delivery system 410 of UAV 400 may function to autonomouslylower payload 408 to the ground in a controlled manner to facilitatedelivery of the payload 408 on the ground while the UAV 400 hoversabove.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the payload latch 406 may be in a closed position(e.g., pins engaging the payload coupling apparatus 412) to hold thepayload 408 against or close to the bottom of the UAV 400, or evenpartially or completely inside the UAV 400, during flight from a launchsite to a target location 420. The target location 420 may be a point inspace directly above a desired delivery location. Then, when the UAV 400reaches the target location 420, the UAV's control system (e.g., thetether control module 216 of FIG. 2 ) may toggle the payload latch 406to an open position (e.g., disengaging the pins from the payloadcoupling apparatus 412), thereby allowing the payload 408 to be loweredfrom the UAV 400. The control system may further operate the spool 404(e.g., by controlling the motor 222 of FIG. 2 ) such that the payload408, secured to the tether 402 by a payload coupling apparatus 412, islowered to the ground, as shown in FIG. 4B.

Once the payload 408 reaches the ground, the control system may continueoperating the spool 404 to lower the tether 402, causing over-run of thetether 402. During over-run of the tether 402, the payload couplingapparatus 412 may continue to lower as the payload 408 remainsstationary on the ground. The downward momentum and/or gravitationalforces on the payload coupling apparatus 412 may cause the payload 408to detach from the payload coupling apparatus 412 (e.g., by sliding offa hook of the payload coupling apparatus 412). After releasing payload408, the control system may operate the spool 404 to retract the tether402 and the payload coupling apparatus 412 toward the UAV 400. Once thepayload coupling apparatus reaches or nears the UAV 400, the controlsystem may operate the spool 404 to pull the payload coupling apparatus412 into the receptacle 414, and the control system may toggle thepayload latch 406 to the closed position, as shown in FIG. 4C.

In some embodiments, when lowering the payload 408 from the UAV 400, thecontrol system may detect when the payload 408 and/or the payloadcoupling apparatus 412 has been lowered to be at or near the groundbased on an unwound length of the tether 402 from the spool 404. Similartechniques may be used to determine when the payload coupling apparatus412 is at or near the UAV 400 when retracting the tether 402. As notedabove, the UAV 400 may include an encoder for providing data indicativeof the rotation of the spool 404. Based on data from the encoder, thecontrol system may determine how many rotations the spool 404 hasundergone and, based on the number of rotations, determine a length ofthe tether 402 that is unwound from the spool 404. For instance, thecontrol system may determine an unwound length of the tether 402 bymultiplying the number of rotations of the spool 404 by thecircumference of the tether 402 wrapped around the spool 404. In someembodiments, such as when the spool 404 is narrow or when the tether 402has a large diameter, the circumference of the tether 402 on the spool404 may vary as the tether 402 winds or unwinds from the tether, and sothe control system may be configured to account for these variationswhen determining the unwound tether length.

In other embodiments, the control system may use various types of data,and various techniques, to determine when the payload 408 and/or payloadcoupling apparatus 412 have lowered to be at or near the ground.Further, the data that is used to determine when the payload 408 is ator near the ground may be provided by sensors on UAV 400, sensors on thepayload coupling apparatus 412, and/or other data sources that providedata to the control system.

In some embodiments, the control system itself may be situated on thepayload coupling apparatus 412 and/or on the UAV 400. For example, thepayload coupling apparatus 412 may include logic module(s) implementedvia hardware, software, and/or firmware that cause the UAV 400 tofunction as described herein, and the UAV 400 may include logicmodule(s) that communicate with the payload coupling apparatus 412 tocause the UAV 400 to perform functions described herein.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a payload delivery apparatus 500including payload 510, according to an example embodiment. The payloaddelivery apparatus 500 is positioned within a fuselage of a UAV (notshown) and includes a winch 514 powered by motor 512, and a tether 502spooled onto winch 514. The tether 502 is attached to a payload couplingapparatus or payload retriever 800 positioned within a payload couplingapparatus receptacle 516 positioned within the fuselage of the UAV (notshown). A payload 510 is secured to the payload coupling apparatus 800.In this embodiment a top portion 517 of payload 510 is secured withinthe fuselage of the UAV. A locking pin 570 is shown extending throughhandle 511 attached to payload 510 to positively secure the payloadbeneath the UAV during high speed flight.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view of payload delivery apparatus 500and payload 510 shown in FIG. 5A. In this view, the payload couplingapparatus is shown tightly positioned with the payload couplingapparatus receptacle 516. Tether 502 extends from winch 514 and isattached to the top of payload coupling apparatus 800. Top portion 517of payload 510 is shown positioned within the fuselage of the UAV (notshown) along with handle 511.

FIG. 5C is a side view of payload delivery apparatus 500 and payload 510shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The top portion 517 of payload 510 is shownpositioned within the fuselage of the UAV. Winch 514 has been used towind in tether 502 to position the payload coupling apparatus withinpayload coupling apparatus receptacle 516. FIGS. 5A-C disclose payload510 taking the shape of an aerodynamic hexagonally-shaped tote, wherethe base and side walls are six-sided hexagons and the tote includesgenerally pointed front and rear surfaces formed at the intersections ofthe side walls and base of the tote providing an aerodynamic shape.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of payload coupling apparatus 800,according to an example embodiment. Payload coupling apparatus 800includes tether mounting point 802, and a slot 808 to position a handleof a payload handle in. Lower lip, or hook, 806 is positioned beneathslot 808. Also included is an outer protrusion 804 having helical camsurfaces 804 a and 804 b that are adapted to mate with corresponding cammating surfaces within a payload coupling apparatus receptaclepositioned with a fuselage of a UAV.

FIG. 6B is a side view of payload coupling apparatus 800 shown in FIG.6A. Slot 808 is shown positioned above lower lip, or hook, 806. As shownlower lip or hook 806 has an outer surface 806 a that is undercut suchthat it does not extend as far outwardly as an outer surface above slot805 so that the lower lip or hook 806 will not reengage with the handleof the payload after it has been decoupled, or will not get engaged withpower lines or tree branches during retrieval to the UAV.

FIG. 6C is a front view of payload coupling apparatus 800 shown in FIGS.6A and 6B. Lower lip or hook 806 is shown positioned beneath slot 808that is adapted for securing a handle of a payload.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of payload coupling apparatus 800 shown inFIGS. 6A-6C, prior to insertion into a payload coupling apparatusreceptacle 516 positioned in the fuselage 550 of a UAV. As notedpreviously payload coupling apparatus 800 includes a slot 808 positionedabove lower lip or hook 806, adapted to receive a handle of a payload.The fuselage 550 of the payload delivery system 500 includes a payloadcoupling apparatus receptacle 516 positioned within the fuselage 550 ofthe UAV. The payload coupling apparatus 800 includes an outer protrusion810 have helical cammed surfaces 810 a and 810 b that meet in a roundedapex. The helical cammed surfaces 810 a and 810 b are adapted to matewith surfaces 530 a and 530 b of an inward protrusion 530 positionedwithin the payload coupling apparatus receptacle 516 positioned withinfuselage 550 of the UAV. Also included is a longitudinal recessedrestraint slot 540 positioned within the fuselage 550 of the UAV that isadapted to receive and restrain a top portion of a payload (not shown).As the payload coupling apparatus 800 is pulled into to the payloadcoupling apparatus receptacle 516, the cammed surfaces 810 a and 810 bof outer protrusion 810 engage with the cammed surfaces 530 a and 530 bwithin the payload coupling apparatus receptacle 516 and the payloadcoupling apparatus 800 is rotated into a desired alignment within thefuselage 550 of the UAV.

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of an opposite side of payloadcoupling apparatus 800 shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, prior to insertion into apayload coupling apparatus receptacle 516 positioned in the fuselage 550of a UAV. As shown, payload coupling apparatus 800 include a lower lipor hook 806. An outer protrusion 804 is shown extending outwardly fromthe payload coupling apparatus having helical cammed surfaces 804 a and804 b adapted to engage and mate with cammed surfaces 530 a and 530 b ofinner protrusion 530 positioned within payload coupling apparatusreceptacle 516 positioned within fuselage 550 of payload delivery system500. It should be noted that the cammed surfaces 804 a and 804 b meet ata sharp apex, which is asymmetrical with the rounded or blunt apex ofcammed surfaces 810 a and 810 b shown in FIG. 7 . In this manner, therounded or blunt apex of cammed surfaces 810 a and 810 b preventpossible jamming of the payload coupling apparatus 800 as the cammedsurfaces engage the cammed surfaces 530 a and 530 b positioned withinthe payload coupling apparatus receptacle 516 positioned within fuselage550 of the UAV. In particular, cammed surfaces 804 a and 804 b arepositioned slightly higher than the rounded or blunt apex of cammedsurfaces 810 a and 810 b. As a result, the sharper tip of cammedsurfaces 804 a and 804 b engages the cammed surfaces 530 a and 530 bwithin the payload coupling apparatus receptacle 516 positioned withinthe fuselage 550 of payload delivery system 500, thereby initiatingrotation of the payload coupling apparatus 800 slightly before therounded or blunt apex of cammed surfaces 810 a and 810 b engage thecorresponding cammed surfaces within the payload coupling apparatusreceptacle 516. In this manner, the case where both apexes (or tips) ofthe cammed surfaces on the payload coupling apparatus end up on the sameside of the receiving cams within the payload coupling apparatusreceptacle is prevented. This scenario results in a prevention of thejamming of the payload coupling apparatus within the receptacle.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a recessed restraint slot and payloadcoupling apparatus receptacle positioned in a fuselage of a UAV. Inparticular, payload delivery system 500 includes a fuselage 550 having apayload coupling apparatus receptacle 516 therein that includes inwardprotrusion 530 having cammed surfaces 530 a and 530 b that are adaptedto mate with corresponding cammed surfaces on a payload couplingapparatus (not shown). Also included is a longitudinally extendingrecessed restrained slot 540 into which a top portion of a payload isadapted to be positioned and secured within the fuselage 550.

FIG. 10A shows a side view of a payload delivery apparatus 500 with ahandle 511 of payload 510 secured within a payload coupling apparatus800 as the payload 510 moves downwardly prior to touching down fordelivery. Prior to payload touchdown, the handle 511 of payload 510includes a hole 513 through which a lower lip or hook of payloadcoupling apparatus 800 extends. The handle sits within a slot of thepayload coupling apparatus 800 that is suspended from tether 502 ofpayload delivery system 500 during descent of the payload 510 to alanding site.

FIG. 10B shows a side view of payload delivery apparatus 500 afterpayload 510 has landed on the ground showing payload coupling apparatus800 decoupled from handle 511 of payload 510. Once the payload 510touches the ground, the payload coupling apparatus 800 continues to movedownwardly (as the winch further unwinds) through inertia or gravity anddecouples the lower lip or hook 808 of the payload coupling apparatus800 from handle 511 of payload 510. The payload coupling apparatus 800remains suspended from tether 502, and can be winched back up to thepayload coupling receptacle of the UAV.

FIG. 10C shows a side view of payload delivery apparatus 500 withpayload coupling apparatus 800 moving away from handle 511 of payload510. Here the payload coupling apparatus 800 is completely separatedfrom the hole 513 of handle 511 of payload 510. Tether 502 may be usedto winch the payload coupling apparatus back to the payload couplingapparatus receptacle positioned in the fuselage of the UAV.

FIG. 11A is a side view of handle 511 of payload 510. The handle 511includes an aperture 513 through which the lower lip or hook of apayload coupling apparatus extends through to suspend the payload duringdelivery, or for retrieval. The handle 511 includes a lower portion 515that is secured to the top portion of a payload. Also included are holes524 and 526 through which locking pins positioned within the fuselage ofa UAV, may extend to secure the handle and payload in a secure positionduring high speed forward flight to a delivery location. In addition,holes 524 and 526 are also designed for pins of a payload holder toextend therethrough to hold the payload in position for retrieval on apayload retrieval apparatus. The handle may be comprised of a thin,flexible plastic material that is flexible and provides sufficientstrength to suspend the payload beneath a UAV during forward flight to adelivery site, and during delivery and/or retrieval of a payload. Inpractice, the handle may be bent to position the handle within a slot ofa payload coupling apparatus. The handle 511 also has sufficientstrength to withstand the torque during rotation of the payload couplingapparatus into the desired orientation within the payload couplingapparatus receptacle, and rotation of the top portion of the payloadinto position with the recessed restraint slot.

FIG. 11B is a side view of handle 511′ of payload 510. The handle 511′includes an aperture 513 through which the lower lip or hook of apayload coupling apparatus extends through to suspend the payload duringdelivery, or for retrieval. The handle 511′ includes a lower portion 515that is secured to the top portion of a payload. Also included aremagnets 524′ and 526′ adapted for magnetic engagement with correspondingmagnets (or a metal) of a payload holder to secure the payload to thepayload holder in position for retrieval on a payload retrievalapparatus. In some examples, magnets 524′ and 526′ are provided on ahandle (e.g., handle 511 or 511′) in place of holes 524 and 526. Inother examples, magnets 524′ and 526′ are provided in addition to holes524 and 526.

FIG. 12 shows a pair of pins 570, 572 extending through holes 524 and526 in handle 511 of payload 510 to secure the handle 511 and topportion of payload 510 within the fuselage of a UAV, or to securepayload 510 to a payload holder of a payload retrieval apparatus. Inthis manner, the handle 511 and payload 510 may be secured within thefuselage of a UAV, or to a payload holder of a payload retrievalapparatus. In this embodiment, the pins 570 and 572 have a conical shapeso that they pull the package up slightly or at least remove anydownward slack present. In some embodiments the pins 570 and 572 maycompletely plug the holes 524 and 526 of the handle 511 of payload 510,to provide a secure attachment of the handle and top portion of thepayload within the fuselage of the UAV, or to secure the payload to apayload retrieval apparatus. Although the pins are shown as conical, inother applications they may have other geometries, such as a cylindricalgeometry.

FIG. 13A is a bottom perspective view of UAV 1000 that includes a cargobay 1020 formed by a cavity within a fuselage 1010 of UAV 1000. FIG. 13shows cargo bay doors 1030 and 1032 in an open position with payload1040 being lowered on a tether 1042 from cargo bay 1020. Whentransporting larger payloads, such as package 1040, the inclusion of acargo bay 1020 in the UAV 1000 may help increase flight efficiency. Forexample, by containing the payload 1040 entirely inside the fuselage1010 during flight, the cargo bay doors 1030 and 1032 may be closed.Accordingly, in such a configuration, drag associated with carrying apayload outside of the body of the UAV can be avoided, thereby reducingthe aerodynamic load and increasing efficiency during flight.

FIG. 13A shows UAV 1000 during flight with payload 1040 being delivered.The payload 1040 is being lowered from the cargo bay 1020 on a tether1042 through an access opening provided by cargo bay doors 1030 and1032. A payload may also be loaded into the cargo bay 1020 by couplingthe payload to tether 1042 and retracting the tether 1042 while UAV 1000is in a hover flight mode. However, loading the payload into cargo bay1020 while UAV 1000 is in flight consumes energy. Accordingly, there maybe advantages in loading the payload into the cargo bay 1020 with theUAV 1000 in a landed position. On the other hand, in a typical landedposition, the lower access opening to the cargo bay 1020, i.e., theaccess opening provided by the cargo bay doors 1030 and 1032 maytypically be adjacent to the surface that is supporting the UAV.Therefore, embodiments of the disclosure provide a UAV that includes asecond access opening for placing the payload into the cargo bay.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13B, UAV 1000 includes a fuselage 1010that is formed by a fuselage body 1015 and a hatch door 1080 positionedon top of the fuselage body 1015. Fuselage body 1015 of UAV 1000 formsthe nose 1016, the tail 1017, and the sides 1018 of the fuselage 1010.The hatch door 1080 forms the upper portion of fuselage 1010 and isassociated with an upper access opening that provides access to a cavitywithin the fuselage body 1015. Similar to UAV 1000, the cavity withinthe fuselage body 1015 forms a cargo bay 1020 that is also accessiblethrough a lower access opening in the fuselage body 1015, which may beassociated with a cargo bay door. Both the upper access opening and thelower access opening may be used to access the cavity that forms thecargo bay 1020, for example for inserting or removing a package or otherpayload from the cargo bay 1020.

FIGS. 14-17 illustrate an embodiment of a method of loading a payload inthe form of package 1040 into the cargo bay 1020 of UAV 1000. FIGS.14-17 are schematic cross sectional views that show the interior of thefuselage 1010 of UAV 1000. As illustrated in FIG. 14 , the fuselage 1010is formed by a fuselage body 1015, an upper hatch door 1080 and cargobay doors 1030 (and 1032, shown in FIG. 13A). Further, as stated above,the fuselage body 1015 forms the nose 1016, tail 1017 and sides 1018 ofthe fuselage 1010.

The upper hatch door 1080 is movable between an open position, as shownin FIG. 14 , and a closed position, as shown in FIG. 16 . With the upperhatch door 1080 in the open position, a path is provided through theupper access opening of fuselage body 1010, thereby allowing the package1040 to be inserted into the cargo bay 1020, as shown in FIG. 14 . Oncethe package 1040 is in place, the upper hatch door 1080 may then bemoved to a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 . With the upperhatch door 1080 in the closed positioned, the top of the fuselage 1010may be enclosed, with the upper hatch door 1080 forming the upperportion of the fuselage 1010. Further, when the upper hatch door 1080 isenclosed, the upper access opening of the fuselage 1010 may beobstructed such that the package 1040 cannot be removed from the cargobay 1020 through the upper access opening.

The upper hatch door 1080 includes a winch 1012 that may be used forsecuring a payload, such a package 1040, and for lowering the payloadfrom the cargo bay 1020 using a tether 1042 in order to deliver thepayload at a delivery site while the UAV is hovering. As describedabove, the winch may include a motor and a spool for winding andunwinding the tether 1042. Further, the tether may include a payloadcoupling apparatus 800, as described above, for securing the winch tothe package 1040.

The inclusion of the winch 1012 within the hatch door 1080 may allow thewinch to be positioned above the cargo bay 1020 without substantiallyobstructing the upper access opening of the fuselage body 1015 when theupper hatch door 1080 is open. Furthermore, the winch 1012 can beprovided adjacent to a receptacle 1014 for the payload couplingapparatus 800. By positioning the winch 1012 next to the receptacle1014, the distance between the winch 1012 and the receptacle 1014 iskept short, which avoids the need to have the tether extend aroundcomponents or over significant distances within the fuselage 1010. Thiscan help increase the efficiency of the winch motor when the tether isunwound and retracted. Further, keeping the distance between the winch1012 and receptacle 1014 may also as reduce the likelihood of a tethersnag occurring within the fuselage.

In some embodiments, the payload coupling apparatus receptacle 1014 mayalso be positioned within the door, as shown in UAV 1000. Such aconfiguration can keep the receptacle 1014 and winch 1012 close to oneanother when the winch is also positioned on the door 1080. On the otherhand, in some embodiments, the payload coupling apparatus receptacle maybe fixed with respect to the fuselage body while the door moves betweenopen and closed positions, as explained in more detail below. In such anembodiment, the payload coupling apparatus receptacle may be secured tostructural components secured to the fuselage body, to the main spar ofthe UAV, or another structure that is fixed with respect to the fuselagebody.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the package 1040 or other payload may be loadedinto the cargo bay 1020 within the fuselage 1010 from above. Forexample, with the UAV 1000 located on a support surface, such as theground or a landing platform, the upper hatch door 1080 may be lifted toan open position in order to provide a path through the upper accessopening into the fuselage 1000. Accordingly, even if access to the cargobay 1020 through the lower access opening associated with the cargo baydoors 1030, 1032 is inaccessible, the cargo bay 1020 may still be loadedwith a payload 1040 through the upper access opening.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15 , the package 1040 ispositioned inside the cargo bay 1020 and initially supported by thecargo bay doors 1030, 1032. With the package 1040 in place within thecargo bay 1020, the payload coupling apparatus 800 may be secured to thepackage. For example, as explained above, the package 1040 may include ahandle that can fit within a slot in the payload coupling apparatus 800(FIGS. 6A-6C). In some embodiments, the payload coupling apparatus 800may be secured to the package 1040 by the UAV control system, forexample, by unwinding a portion of the tether and carrying out asequence of steps to secure the payload coupling apparatus 800 to ahandle of the package 1040. In other embodiments the user who loads thepackage 1040 into the cargo bay 1020 may manually secure the payloadcoupling apparatus 800 to the package 1040. Such a manual attachment ofthe payload coupling apparatus 800 to the package 1040 may also becarried out before the package 1040 is inserted into the cargo bay 1020.For example, the winch may be operated to provide sufficient slack onthe tether 1042 that the user can pull the payload coupling apparatus800 out of the cargo bay 1020 and secure it to the package 1040.

With the package 1040 attached to the payload coupling apparatus 800,the UAV can maneuver the package 1040 using the winch 1012 by unwindingor retracting the tether 1042. Such maneuvering of the package 1040 mayoccur when the package has already been loaded into the cargo bay 1020,as described above and with the cargo bay doors 1030, 1032 shut. Inother words, the winch 1012 may be operated by the UAV control system tomaneuver the package independent of any loading or delivery operationsof the UAV. Such maneuvering of the package can be used for variouspurposes.

First, in some embodiments, the package 1040 may be hoisted up by thewinch 1012 using the tether, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , in order tosecure the package to attachment structures within the upper hatch door1080. For example, in some embodiments, the package 1040 or otherpayload may be lifted by the winch 1012 and tether until the payloadcoupling apparatus 800 is securely positioned within the payloadcoupling apparatus receptacle 1014 and the handle of the package 1040 issecured to another component of the upper hatch door 1080. For example,the upper hatch door 1080 may include locking pins, such as those shownin FIG. 12 , to secure the package 1040 to the UAV with a more robustfastening mechanism than that provided by the payload coupling apparatusalone. Attachment of the package 1040 to the locking pins may occurmechanically upon movement of the package 1040 toward the upper hatchdoor 1080, such as with a latch. Alternatively, the UAV control systemmay determine that the package has been moved to a predeterminedposition, such as by monitoring a position sensor or the operatingcurrent of the winch motor, and, in response to identifying the presenceof the package, engage the locking pins with the package.

Maneuvering the package 1040 using the winch 1012 while the UAV islanded and before the UAV begins a flight operation can also be used bythe UAV in order to confirm or verify information about the package1040. For example, by retracting the tether 1042 using the winch 1012 sothat the package 1040 is suspended above the lower access opening of thefuselage, the UAV control system may be able to determine whether apackage has been properly secured in the cargo bay 1020. If the motorcurrent of the winch is above a threshold and the length of the tetheris within a predetermined range, the UAV control system may determinethat a package is secured to the payload coupling apparatus and has beenraised by the retracting of the tether. Furthermore, the UAV controlsystem may be able to determine the weight of the package based on therequired motor current to lift the package. Using the determined weight,the UAV control system can compare the measured weight with an expectedweight value of the package to confirm that the correct package has beenreceived in the UAV. In some embodiments, in response to identifyingthat a package is not attached to the payload, or that the attachedpackage has an unexpected value, the UAV can take certain actions toinitiate corrective action. For example, the UAV can broadcast an alarm,terminate the flight mission, or take other actions to indicate anerror.

In the method described above, the package 1040 is initially loaded ontothe cargo bay doors 1030, 1032 and is raised by the tether 1042 up tothe upper hatch door 1080. As described above, the lifting of thepackage 1040 can be used to verify or confirm various information.However, in some embodiments, the package 1040 may initially besuspended from a structure coupled to the upper hatch door 1080. Forexample, in some embodiments, the payload may be loaded into the UAV byhaving a portion of the payload, such as a handle, be inserted into aslot in the upper hatch door, as described further below. In such anembodiment, the package may be held by an attachment system other thanthe payload coupling apparatus. In such an embodiment, this attachmentsystem may be released in order to suspend the payload directly from thepayload coupling apparatus. Once the attachment system is released, thepresence of the package may be confirmed based on the motor currentbeing utilized by the winch to suspend the payload.

In UAV 1000 shown in FIGS. 13-17 , the upper door 1080 only forms partof the upper portion of the fuselage 1010, while the fuselage body 1015forms the nose 1016, tail 1017 and sides 1018. However, in otherembodiments, the door that opens and closes the upper access opening mayform a larger portion of the fuselage. For example, in some embodiments,the door may form part of the nose of the fuselage, as shown in FIG.47B. In other embodiments, the door may form part of the tail of thefuselage. Further, while the upper door 1080 of UAV 1000 is secured tothe fuselage body 1015 by a hinge located toward the rear of thefuselage, in other embodiments the hinge may be arranged toward thefront of the fuselage, or on the side, as shown in FIG. 47A, describedbelow. Further still, in some embodiments, the door may be connected tothe fuselage body by another mechanism, such as sliding or rotatingarms. Moreover, in some embodiments, the upper door may be entirelyremovable from the fuselage body, as shown in FIGS. 50A-50C. Otherarrangements are also possible, such as the door having multiplesections that open in the middle.

In some embodiments, the path into the cargo bay that is providedthrough the upper access opening is vertical, such that a payloadinserted into the fuselage may be dropped into the cargo bay. In otherembodiments, the upper door may be positioned toward the nose or tail ofthe fuselage, such that the path through the upper access opening isangled downward from one end of the fuselage.

In some embodiments, the UAV may be configured to close the upper doorwithout assistance from a user. For example, in some embodiments, thedoor may include an actuator for closing the door. Further, in someembodiments, the UAV may be configured such that the winch may be usedto close the door. Such a UAV is shown in FIGS. 18-21 , which illustratean operation that uses a winch and tether to close the upper door. UAV1200 includes a upper door 1280 that provides access to a cargo bayinside the fuselage of the UAV 1200. Similar to UAV 1000, the upper door1280 includes a winch 1212 configured to raise and lower a payload on atether 1242 for receiving or delivering the payload through a bottomaccess opening of the fuselage.

FIG. 18 illustrates the UAV 1200 with a package 1240 loaded into thecargo bay and secured to a payload coupling apparatus 800. In order toclose the upper door 1280, the winch 1212 arranged in upper door 1280 isoperated to retract the tether 1242 so that the package 1240 is hoistedabove the floor of the UAV 1200 (formed by cargo bay doors). As thetether 1242 is retracted, the package 1240 moves upward and the payloadcoupling apparatus 800 is secured into receptacle 1214. In UAV 1200, thepayload coupling apparatus receptacle 1214 is attached to the fuselagebody of the UAV 1200. Accordingly, the payload coupling apparatusreceptacle 1214 forms a barrier 1250 that hinders upward movement of thepackage 1240. Therefore, once the payload coupling apparatus 800 isfully seated in the receptacle 1214, as shown in FIG. 19 , the distalend of the tether 1242 is restrained, thereby preventing further upwardretraction of the tether. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 , with the distalend of the tether 1242 restrained by the barrier 1250, further operationof the winch 1212 to retract the tether 1242 causes the upper door 1280and associated winch 1212 to move toward the barrier, thereby closingthe upper door 1280.

In the illustrated embodiment, the barrier 1250 includes the payloadcoupling apparatus receptacle 1214, such that the tether is restrainedwhen the payload coupling apparatus is seated in the receptacle 1214. Inother embodiments, the barrier may be formed by another structure. Forexample, in some embodiments, the barrier may be a different obstaclewith a small hole to prevent passage of the payload coupling apparatus.In other embodiments, the barrier may engage the package, rather thanpayload coupling apparatus, and restrain the tether by blocking upwardmovement of the package. Other barrier structures are also possible.

While the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 18-21 moves the door to a closedposition after the payload has been raised up to the barrier, in someinstances, the weight of the payload may be greater than the forcerequired to close the door. In such scenarios retracting the tether mayresult in the door closing before the payload is lifted up to thepayload coupling apparatus receptacle or the barrier.

FIGS. 22A-22F illustrate another embodiment of a UAV 1300 that includesa winch 1312 which is configured to move in order to provide enlargedaccess to a cargo bay 1320 of the UAV 1300. The UAV 1300 includes afuselage 1310 that surrounds a cavity which forms a cargo bay 1320. Thefuselage 1310 is formed by a fuselage body 1315, cargo bay doors 1330and an upper hatch door 1380. The upper hatch door 1380 corresponds toan upper access opening 1384 into the cargo bay 1320, which may be usedto load a package 1340 into the cargo bay 1320 from above. The winch1312 is secured to a main spar 1330 of the UAV 1300 and is configured topivot about the spar 1330 from a lower operating position to an upperunobstructing position, in which the winch 1312 is moved out of the paththrough the upper access opening 1384. Accordingly, when the winch 1312is in the upper position, it may be easier to place larger packages intothe cargo bay 1320.

FIG. 22A illustrates a package 1340 being loaded into the cargo bay 1320of the UAV 1300 while the winch 1312 is rotated about the spar 1330 tobe in an upper position. Accordingly, the path through upper accessopening 1384 is sufficiently large to receive the package 1340. As shownin FIG. 22B, in connection with placing the package 1340 into the cargobay 1320, a payload coupling apparatus 800 at the end of a tether 1342may be secured to a portion of the package 1340, such as a handle. WhileFIG. 22B shows the payload coupling apparatus 800 being secured to thepackage 1340 after the package has been placed in the cargo bay 1320, itis also possible to secure the payload coupling apparatus 800 to thepackage 1340 before it is inserted into the cargo bay 1320. For example,the winch 1312 may provide additional slack on the tether 1342 so thatthe payload coupling apparatus 800 can be pulled out of the fuselage1310 and attached to the package 1340. Once the payload couplingapparatus 800 is secured to the package 1340, the winch 1312 may providelight tension on the tether 1342 in order to retract excess length ofthe tether 1342.

With the package 1340 in place within the cargo bay 1320 and the payloadcoupling apparatus 800 secured to the package 1340, the winch 1312 maybe operated by the UAV control system to retract the tether 1342. Asshown in FIGS. 22C and 22D, as the length of the unwound tether isreduced, the winch 1312 is pivoted downward toward an operatingposition. Once the winch 1312 reaches the operating position, furtherlowering of the winch 1312 may be prevented. For example, the supportstructure of the winch 1312 may contact a stop that hinders furtherdownward movement of the winch 1312. Such a stop may be provided on thespar 1330 and contact the attachment structure on the spar, or the stopmay be coupled to the fuselage and be configured to contact the supportstructure of the winch 1312.

Once the winch 1312 reaches the lower operating position, furtherretraction of the tether 1342 by the winch 1312 raises the package 1340until it is secured in place for flight, as shown in FIGS. 22E and 22F.For example, the payload coupling apparatus 800 may be received in areceptacle and/or other attachment structures, such as locking pins, maysecure the package 1340 in place.

In some embodiments, the winch 1312 may be biased toward the upper openposition, such that when there is no weight on the tether 1342 and theupper hatch door 1380 is open, the winch 1312 moves to the upper openposition. For example, the attachment between the winch 1312 and thespar 1330 may utilize a rotational spring that biases the winch 1312upward. Similarly, a spring may be provided between the winch 1312 andeither the upper hatch door 1380 or the fuselage to bias the winch 1312upward. Likewise, a counterweight may be used to bias the winch upward.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the winch 1312 may be manuallymovable to a desired position and held in the position by friction. Forexample, with slight friction between the winch 1312 and the spar 1330,a user may be able to move the winch 1312 to the upper open position andhave the winch 1312 be held in place by friction while the package 1340is loaded.

While the upper hatch door 1380 shown in UAV 1300 includes a hingedconnection to the fuselage body 1315 at the front end of the upper hatchdoor 1380, in other embodiments, the door may be hinged on the side orat a rear end thereof. Further, in some embodiments, the door may beentirely removable from the fuselage body.

FIGS. 23-32 illustrate an embodiment of a UAV 1400 that includes amovable stage 1470 that is configured to hold a payload. As shown inFIG. 23A, UAV 1400 includes a fuselage 1410 with an interior cavity thatforms a cargo bay 1420. A movable stage 1470 is coupled to the fuselage1410 and is movable over a range of heights within the cargo bay 1420(FIGS. 23-32 ). In other words, the movable stage 1470 is configured tomove up and down with respect to the rest of the fuselage 1410. Themovable stage 1470 includes an opening 1472 that allows at least atether 1442 to pass through the movable stage 1470. Accordingly, asdiscussed below, the tether can raise and lower a payload with respectto the movable stage 1470.

As shown in FIG. 23A, when the movable stage 1470 is in a lowerposition, the movable stage 1470 may form the lower part of the fuselage1410. For example, when in the lower position, the outer edges of themovable stage 1470 may be positioned adjacent to the edge of a loweraccess opening 1434, so that the lower access opening 1434 iseffectively closed by the movable stage 1470. However, as shown in FIGS.23B, 23C, the movable stage 1470 may also move to elevated positionsthat provide access to the cargo bay 1420, i.e., so that the movablestage 1470 is above the cargo bay 1420.

In some embodiments, an attachment structure 1475 for securing a packageto the UAV may be coupled to the movable stage 1470. For example, themovable stage 1470 of UAV 1400 includes a payload coupling apparatusreceptacle 1414 is accessible from under the movable stage 1470. Thereceptacle 1414 may receive a payload coupling apparatus 800 that isattached to a package in order to secure the package against the movablestage 1470. In other embodiments, the attachment structure may includelocking pins or other attachment devices for securing a handle oranother portion of a payload to the UAV.

With a package secured to the attachment structure 1475, raising andlowering the movable stage may also change the position of the payload.Accordingly, when the UAV is carrying a package, the movable stage 1470and corresponding attachment structure 1475 may be moved to a flightposition that corresponds to a particular height in which the bottom ofthe package is flush with the lower access opening 1434 of the fuselage1410. By placing the bottom of the package at the lower access opening1434, a surface of the package may form part of the aerodynamic exteriorof the fuselage 1410 and occupy the lower access opening to the cargobay 1420. Such positioning of the package within the lower accessopening 1434 can help reduce drag on the UAV that may otherwise resultfrom the low pressure area formed by an open cargo bay. FIGS. 23A and23B illustrate the UAV 1400 with package of different sizes that areeach positioned in an appropriate flight position to be flush with thelower access opening 1434. For example, FIG. 23A illustrates the movablestage 1470 at a first position near the top of the fuselage 1410. Arelatively large package 1440A is secured against the movable stage 1470with the bottom of the package positioned flush with the lower accessopening 1434. In contrast, in FIG. 23B, the UAV 1400 is carrying arelatively smaller package 1440B, which is secured against the movablestage 1470. To hold the bottom of package 1440B flush with the loweraccess opening 1434, the movable stage 1470 is located at anintermediate position within the fuselage 1410.

In some embodiments, the winch is secured to the movable stage and movesup and down with the fuselage along with the movable stage. Suchpositioning can help the efficiency of the winch motor and limit thelength of the tether that is routed inside the fuselage, as discussedabove. In other embodiments, the winch may be secured to the body of thefuselage, such that the movable stage moves with respect to the winch.

In some embodiments, the movable stage 1470 may be secured in thefuselage on a guide 1476, such as a rod or rail, in order to control themovement of the movable stage. Further, in some embodiments, the UAV mayinclude an actuator for raising and lowering the movable stage. Forexample, in some embodiments the UAV may include a dedicated motor formoving the stage up and down. In other embodiments, movement of thestage may be facilitated using a shared motor. For example, in someembodiments, the winch may be used to raise or lower the movable stage.By winding the tether around a pulley that is secured to the fuselage orto a structural component attached to the fuselage, such as the mainspar, the stage may be moved by retracting or unwinding the tether. Forexample, if the tether is wound over a pulley at the top of thefuselage, once the tether is retracted to such an extent that thepayload coupling is held within the receptacle, further retracting ofthe tether may shorten the length of tether that loops around thepulley, thereby raising the movable stage.

While the movable stage may be used to move certain packages into thecargo bay of the fuselage during flight, in some embodiments, the UAVmay hold the movable stage at the lower position during flight, and keepthe package on the outside of the fuselage. Such a method may be usefulin various scenarios, such as where the package is too large for thecargo bay, is too small to justify opening the cargo bay, or has someother configuration where raising the movable stage will result ingreater drag on the UAV than maintaining the movable stage at the lowerposition.

Various methods may be used to load a package into the cargo bay throughmovement of the movable stage. FIGS. 24-27 illustrate an embodiment ofloading a package 1440 into the cargo bay 1420 of UAV 1400. As shown inFIG. 24 , the package 1440 is initially positioned on a support surface1445, such as the ground. The UAV 1400 is then positioned over thepackage 1440 and, as shown in FIG. 25 , lowered onto the package so thatthe movable stage 1470 rests on the upper surface of the package 1440.This operation may also be used to secure a portion of the package, suchas handle 1446, to the attachment structure 1475, so that the package issecured to the movable stage 1470. As shown in FIG. 26 , the movablestage 1470 may then be raised with respect to the fuselage 1410 using amotor, such that the package 1440 moves into the cargo bay 1420 and thefuselage 1410 is lowered around the package 1440. Once the UAV 1400contacts the support surface 1445, further raising of the movable stage1470 with respect to the fuselage 1410 will raise the package 1440 withrespect to the support surface 1445. When the transition from loweringthe fuselage 1410 around the package 1440 to raising the package 1440within the fuselage 1410 occurs, the load on the motor that operates themovable stage 1470 may change. Accordingly, by monitoring the motorcurrent of the actuator that moves the movable stage, the UAV controlsystem may determine that the height of the movable stage 1470 at whichthe package 1440 was flush with the lower access opening 1434. Thisheight may then be used as a flight position for the movable stage 1470while carrying the package.

FIGS. 28 to 31 illustrate another embodiment of loading a package 1440into the cargo bay 1420 of UAV 1400. In FIG. 28 , the UAV 1400 ispositioned on a support surface 1445 and a package 1440 is loaded intothe fuselage 1410 through an upper access opening 1484 by opening anupper door 1480. Further, an articulating portion 1474 of movable stage1470 is moved from a horizontal operating position to an angled positionin which a path into the cargo bay 1420 is clear. As shown in FIG. 29 ,the package 1440 is positioned inside the cargo bay 1420 and under themovable stage 1470. Notably, the package 1440 is supported directly bythe support surface 1445, and is not yet coupled to the UAV 1400.

To secure the package 1440 to the UAV 1400, the movable stage 1470 islowered, as shown in FIG. 30 , until the attachment structure 1475 onmovable stage 1470 couples to a portion of the package, such as thehandle 1442. Once the package is connected to the attachment structure1475 and the movable stage 1470 is secured against the upper surface ofthe package 1440, further lowering of the movable stage 1470 will beginto raise the fuselage 1410 (and the rest of the UAV) above the supportsurface 1445. Again, the transition from lowering the movable stage 1470toward the package to raising the UAV 1400 above the support surfacefuselage 1410 will cause a significant change in the load on the motorthat operates the movable stage 1470. Accordingly, by monitoring themotor current of the actuator that moves the movable stage, the UAVcontrol system may determine that the height of the movable stage 1470at which the package 1440 was flush with the lower access opening 1434.Again, this height may then be used as a flight position for the movablestage 1470 while carrying the package.

FIGS. 32A-32D illustrate another embodiment of loading a package 1440into the cargo bay 1420 of UAV 1400. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 32A-32D, the UAV is in a hover flight mode above a supportsurface. As shown in FIG. 32A, the package 1440 is initially on thesupport surface 1445, while UAV 1400 is elevated above the supportsurface 1445. The payload coupling apparatus 800 at the end of tether1442 is secured to the package 1440. As shown in FIG. 32B, the tether1442 is then retracted by the winch 1412 to raise the package 1440toward the UAV 1400. Once the package 1440 reaches the UAV 1400, thepackage coupling apparatus 800 moves into the receptacle so that thepackage 1440 can be secured to the attachment structure 1475, as shownin FIG. 32C.

Once the package 1440 is secured against the movable stage 1470, themovable stage 1470 is raised so that the package 1440 moves into thecargo bay 1420. The movable stage 1470 then moves upward until thebottom surface of the package 1440 is flush with the edge of the loweraccess opening 1434. In some embodiments, a sensor may be used todetermine the position of the package 1440 in order to place the packageat the desired position. In other embodiments, the UAV control systemmay monitor the drag on the UAV during flight and adjust the position ofthe movable stage and attached package to reduce drag.

FIG. 33 illustrates an embodiment of a UAV 1600 that includes an opencargo bay 1620 formed by a cavity within the fuselage body 1615 of theUAV 1600. The cargo bay 1620 is referred to as open, in that the cargobay 1620 does not include a door for closing the lower access opening1622 of the fuselage of the UAV 1600. For example, the UAV 1600 isconfigured to fly while the lower access opening 1622 is open andaccessible. In order to prevent drag associated with the low pressureassociated with the opening to the cargo bay 1620, the UAV includes anaerodynamic feature 1660 positioned along the front edge of the loweraccess opening 1622. In UAV 1600, the aerodynamic feature 1660 is in theform of a ramp 1662 that is angled downward with respect to the lowersurface of the fuselage. In some embodiments, the ramp has an angle in arange of 1° to 20°, such as about 1°, about 2°, about 3°, about 5°,about 8°, about 10°, about 15° or about 20°. The ramp may assist indirecting airflow over the open lower access opening 1622.

In other embodiments, the aerodynamic feature may have anotherconfiguration. For example, FIG. 34 shows a UAV 1800 that includes anopen cargo bay 1820 formed within the fuselage body 1815. The outersurface of the fuselage body 1815 includes an aerodynamic feature 1860along the front edge of the lower access opening 1822. The aerodynamicfeature 1860 is formed by a plurality of vortex generators 1864 that arepositioned in front of the open cargo bay 1820 with respect to the airflow during flight. The vortex generators 1864 may be configured to mixthe air within the boundary layer with the surrounding higher energy airso that the air flow can extend past the open cargo bay 1820 and avoidextensive drag caused by the low pressure open cargo bay. Further, insome embodiments, the aerodynamic feature may include a plurality ofturbulators positioned along the front edge of the lower access opening.

FIG. 35 illustrates the airflow around the UAV 1600 while the UAV 1600is in a forward flight mode. The ramp positioned along the front edge ofthe open cargo bay 1620 directs the airflow under the open cargo bay1620 so that the low pressure within the cargo bay 1620 does not causelarge disturbances in the airflow that lead to increased drag.

FIG. 36A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2030 and 2032 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010, FIG. 36B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo baydoors 2030 and 2032 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 offuselage 2010. The UAV 2000 is designed to carry a large payload 2040within a cavity within the fuselage 2010 that provides a cargo bay 2020.Cargo bay 2020 may accommodate a payload 2040 having a weight of 3 kg ormore including payload 2040 and its contents. In a preferred embodiment,cargo bay 2020 may accommodate a payload having the dimensions of 315mm×197 mm×445 mm, or larger. The payload 2040 is secured to andsuspended from a first end of tether 2042, and a second end of tether2042 is attached to a winch system positioned within the fuselage 2010of UAV 2100.

FIG. 36A shows first cargo bay door 2030 and second cargo bay door 2032in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010 to blockaccess to cargo bay 2020. A first edge of first cargo bay door 2030 isrotatably attached to bottom surface 2012 with first longitudinal hinge2034, and a first edge of second cargo bay door 2032 is rotatablyattached to bottom surface 2012 with second longitudinal hinge 2036.First longitudinal hinge 2034 is positioned at an intersection betweenside 2035 of fuselage 2010 and bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010, andsecond longitudinal hinge 2036 is attached at an intersection of anopposite side of fuselage 2010 from side 2035. FIG. 36B shows firstcargo bay door 2030 and second cargo bay door 2032 in an open positionsuch that tether 2042 may be used to lower payload 2040 through a loweraccess opening in cargo bay 2020 to a landing site. In the openposition, a second edge 2031 of first cargo bay door 2030 extendsdownwardly and a second edge 2033 of second cargo bay door 2032 extendsdownwardly.

The first cargo bay door 2030 and second cargo bay door 2032 mayadvantageously be opened and closed using a motor, such as a servomotor. With a servo motor, the cargo bay doors may be direct driven,geared, or use a leveraged linkage. A servo motor, gear, linear orrotary actuator etc. may be used to move the leveraged linkage to openand close the doors. A single servo motor may be used to open and closeboth of the cargo bay doors. Alternately, there may be cases to use tworedundant servo motors, one for each cargo bay door. The servo motor(s)(or other types of actuators) may be located fore or aft of the cargobay and may be located fore or aft of bulkheads of the cargo bay. Inaddition, the servo motor(s) may include a cam to open the cargo baydoor(s) and the cargo bay doors may be sprung closed, to allow for afail close situation in case of a failure of the servo motor(s). Forexample, an oblong cam be secured to a linkage mechanism in an offsetmanner, where upon movement of the cam 90 degrees, the linkage mechanismmay be moved to open and close the cargo bay doors. In addition, a servomotor (or other actuator) may be used to actuate the bottom cargo baydoors using a linkage mechanism. However, by moving the rack of thelinkage mechanism upwards, it is possible to check to see if the cargobay door(s) is successfully latched and the upper portion of the cargobay may be propped open slight to provide an indication that the UAV isready for a payload to be loaded. A cargo bay door monitor may be usedto determine whether the payload 2040 is applying a weight to firstcargo bay door 2030 and/or second cargo bay door 2032, which may providean indication that the payload 2040 is no longer secured to the firstend of tether 2042 and/or the tether 2042 has lowered the payload 2040onto the cargo bay doors 2030 and/or 2032. The cargo bay door monitormay be in the form of measuring a current of the motor (which may be aservo motor), such that a rise in the current of the motor may providethe indication that the payload 2040 is applying weight to the firstcargo bay door 2030 and/or second cargo bay door 2032, and thereforepayload 2040 may no longer be suspended from or secured to tether 2042and/or the tether 2042 has lowered the payload 2040 onto the cargo baydoors 2030 and 2032. The first cargo bay door 2030 and/or second cargobay door 2032 may also extend inwardly into the cargo bay 2020 todetermine whether the payload 2040 is positioned within the cargo bay.In this regard, if payload 2040 is positioned within cargo bay 2020,second edge 2031 of first cargo bay door 2030 and/or second edge 2033 ofsecond cargo bay door 2032 will contact the payload 2040, resulting in arise in the current of the motor, thereby providing an indication thatpayload 2040 is positioned within cargo bay 2020. The cargo bay doormonitor may also take other forms such as a strain gauge on the cargobay door, or an optical sensor such as a laser. Other sensors may alsobe used such as a contact switch or a limit switch which can provide fora low-cost payload presence monitor.

The cargo bay door may include a latch which can be monitored to ensurethat the cargo bay door is in a closed position. The latch may takemultiple forms including a pin driven by a servo motor where the pinwhich can retain one cargo bay door which may overlap a second cargo baydoor such that the one cargo bay door retains the second cargo bay doorin a closed position. Alternately, a linear or rotary actuator, ratherthan a servo motor, may be used to drive the pin to retain the cargo baydoors in a closed position. In addition, a passive sprung latch could beused that allows for the cargo bay door(s) to passively close, but wouldrequire actuation to open the cargo bay doors. An electrical contact ona lip or switch may be used to monitor whether the cargo bay door(s) areopen or closed. A slant cut latch pin may be used to detect loading onthe cargo bay door(s). If the cargo bay doors are loaded enough, themotor (which may be a servo motor) may provide force feedback to keepthe cargo bay door(s) in a closed position. In addition to using amotor, or servo motor, a lead screw, linear actuator, wire, or hydraulicor pneumatic cylinders may also be used to open and close the cargo baydoor(s).

The cargo bay door may take various configurations other than that shownin FIGS. 36A and 36B. Different configurations of the cargo bay door(s)are illustrated in FIGS. 37A-43B described below. The cargo bay doormonitor described above may be used in each of the embodiments shown inFIGS. 37A-43B, and operate in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 37A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2050 and 2052 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010, and FIG. 37B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargobay doors 2050 and 2052 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 offuselage 2010. FIG. 37A shows first cargo bay door 2050 and second cargobay door 2052 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010 to block access to cargo bay 2020. A first edge of second cargo baydoor 2052 is rotatably attached to side 2035 of fuselage 2010 withsecond longitudinal hinge 2056, and a first edge of first cargo bay door2050 is rotatably attached to an opposite side of fuselage 2010 fromside 2035 with a first longitudinal hinge. FIG. 37B shows first cargobay door 2050 and second cargo bay door 2052 in an open position suchthat tether 2042 may be used to lower payload 2040 through a loweraccess opening in cargo bay 2020 to a landing site. In the openposition, a second edge 2057 of first cargo bay door 2050 extendsdownwardly and a second edge 2059 of second cargo bay door 2052 extendsdownwardly.

First cargo bay door 2050 includes a first section 2050 a hingedlyattached to a second section allowing cargo bay door 2050 to swing wideopen when in the open position shown in FIG. 37B. Similarly, secondcargo bay door 2052 includes a first section 2052 a hingedly attached toa second section 2052 b allowing cargo bay door 2052 to swing wide openwhen in the open position shown in FIG. 37B. The first and secondsections of the first and second cargo bay doors 2050 and 2052 may behingedly attached to each other using a living hinge.

FIG. 38A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2060 and 2062 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010, and FIG. 38B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargobay doors 2060 and 2062 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 offuselage 2010. FIG. 38A shows first cargo bay door 2060 and second cargobay door 2062 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010 to block access to cargo bay 2020. A first edge of second cargo baydoor 2062 is rotatably attached to side 2035 of fuselage 2010 withsecond longitudinal hinge 2066, and a first edge of first cargo bay door2060 is rotatably attached to an opposite side of fuselage 2010 fromside 2035 with a first longitudinal hinge. FIG. 368 shows first cargobay door 2060 and second cargo bay door 2062 in an open position suchthat tether 2042 may be used to lower payload 2040 through a loweraccess opening in cargo bay 2020 to a landing site. In the openposition, a second edge 2067 of first cargo bay door 2060 extendsdownwardly and a second edge 2069 of second cargo bay door 2062 extendsdownwardly. The first and second longitudinal hinges used attached tofirst cargo bay door 2060 and second cargo bay door 2062 are positionedhigher up on the sides of the fuselage than in FIGS. 37A and 37B.

First cargo bay door 2060 includes a first section 2060 a hingedlyattached to a second section allowing cargo bay door 2060 to swing wideopen when in the open position shown in FIG. 37B. Similarly, secondcargo bay door 2062 includes a first section 2062 a hingedly attached toa second section 2062 b allowing cargo bay door 2062 to swing wide openwhen in the open position shown in FIG. 38B. The first and secondsections of the first and second cargo bay doors 2060 and 2062 may behingedly attached to each other using a living hinge.

FIG. 39A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay doors2070 and 2072 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010, and FIG. 39B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargobay doors 2070 and 2072 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 offuselage 2010. FIG. 39A shows first cargo bay door 2070 and second cargobay door 2072 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage2010 to block access to cargo bay 2020. A first edge of first cargo baydoor 2070 is rotatably attached to bottom surface 2012 with firstlateral hinge 2074, and a first edge of second cargo bay door 2072 isrotatably attached to bottom surface 2012 with second lateral hinge2076. FIG. 39B shows first cargo bay door 2070 and second cargo bay door2072 in an open position such that tether 2042 may be used to lowerpayload 2040 through a lower access opening in cargo bay 2020 to alanding site. In the open position a second edge 2071 of first cargo baydoor 2070 extends downwardly and a second edge 2073 of second cargo baydoor 2072 extends downwardly.

FIG. 40A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2080 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010, FIG.40B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door 2080 inan open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010, and FIG. 40Cis a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door 2080 in anopen position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010. FIG. 40A showscargo bay door 2080 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 offuselage 2010 to block access to cargo bay 2020. A first edge of firstcargo bay door 2070 is rotatably attached to bottom surface 2012 withlateral hinge 2084. FIG. 40B shows cargo bay door in an open positionsuch that tether 2042 may be used to lower payload 2040 through a loweraccess opening in cargo bay 2020 to a landing site. In the openposition, a second edge 2089 of cargo bay door 2080 extends downwardly.FIG. 40C shows cargo bay door 2080 in an open position such that tether2042 may be used to lower payload 2040 through a lower access opening incargo bay 2020 to a landing site. In the open position, a second edge2085 of cargo bay door 2080 extends downwardly. In FIG. 40C cargo baydoor 2080 is rotatably attached to bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010with longitudinal hinge 2084 located at an intersection of a side offuselage 2010 and bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010.

FIG. 41A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2090 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010, andFIG. 41B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2090 in an open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010. Cargobay door 2090 includes a plurality of slats 2091 that have a flexibleconnection to each other such that the cargo bay door 2090 can be movedupwardly into the cargo bay 2020 to open the lower access opening ofcargo bay 2020, wherein payload 2040 may be lowered out of cargo bay2020 and onto a landing site.

FIG. 42A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2100 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010, FIG.42B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door 2100 ina folded up open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010. Cargobay door 2100 has an edge attached longitudinally to bottom surface 2012of fuselage 2010. Cargo bay door 2100 includes a plurality of slats 2101that have a flexible connection to each other such that the cargo baydoor 2100 can be folded up like an accordion to open the lower accessopening of cargo bay 2020, wherein payload 2040 may be lowered out ofcargo bay 2020 and onto a landing site.

FIG. 43A is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door2200 in a closed position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010, FIG.43B is a perspective bottom view of UAV 2000 with cargo bay door 2100 ina rolled up open position on bottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010. Cargobay door 2200 has an edge attached laterally to bottom surface 2012 offuselage 2010, although it could also be attached longitudinally tobottom surface 2012 of fuselage 2010. Cargo bay door 2200 is flexibleand can be made of a fabric which can be rolled up to open the loweraccess opening of cargo bay 2020, wherein payload 2040 may be loweredout of cargo bay 2020 with tether 2042 and onto a landing site.

FIG. 44A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340being inserted into fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300, and FIG. 44B is aperspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2341 beinginserted into cargo bay 2365 of fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. In FIGS.44A and 44B, a nose section of UAV 2300 has been removed from fuselagebody 2310 allowing access for payload 2340 to be moved into cargo bay2365 in fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. Payload 2340 includes a top 2342and a handle 2350 positioned on top 2342. Handle 2350 includes anopening 2352 configured to receive a lip of a payload coupling apparatus(described above) to secure payload 2340 to the payload couplingapparatus positioned within an upper portion 2315 above cargo bay 2365of fuselage body 2310. Handle 2352 is also equipped with apertures 2354a and 2354 b through which mounting pins (shown above) may extendthrough. A first end of a tether 2348 is attached to a winch systempositioned within upper portion 2315 of fuselage body 2310, and a secondend of the tether 2348 is attached to a payload coupling apparatus 2346also positioned within upper portion 2315 of fuselage body 2310 (seeFIG. 46A).

Upper portion 2315 of fuselage body 2310 includes a vertical handle slot2360 to accommodate handle 2350 of payload 2340 when payload 2340 isinserted into cargo bay 2365. Once handle 2350 is inserted throughvertical handle slot 2360, the payload 2340 is moved upwardly wherehandle 2350 is secured to the payload coupling apparatus 2346 byextending a lip of payload coupling apparatus 2346 through opening 2352of handle 2350 of payload 2340 or 2341. The payload coupling apparatus2346 may be biased towards the handle 2350 of the payload to facilitateentry of the lip of payload coupling apparatus 2346 into opening 2352 ofhandle 2350. In FIG. 44B, payload 2341 is shown having a shorter heightthan payload 2340 shown in FIG. 44A.

FIG. 45A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340positioned in fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. Hatch door 2370 is shownremoved from fuselage body 2310. Tether 2348 and payload couplingapparatus 2346 have been pulled out of hatch door 2370 and payloadcoupling apparatus 2346 has been secured to handle 2350 of top surface2350 of payload 2340. Thus, payload coupling apparatus 2346 is shownsecured to handle 2350 of payload 2340 before hatch door 2370 ispositioned onto fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. Tether 2348 is attachedto a winch system positioned within hatch door 2370.

FIG. 45B is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340secured to hatch door 2370 and being inserted into fuselage body 2310 ofUAV 2300. In FIG. 45B, door hatch 2370 is secured to payload 2340 priorto positioning payload 2340 into the cargo bay in fuselage body 2310 ofUAV 2300. In FIG. 45B, hatch door 2370 is shown removed from thefuselage body 2310 after payload 2340 has been positioned in the cargobay of the fuselage body 2310.

FIG. 46A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340being inserted into fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. Payload 2340 isshown being moved into position in the cargo bay of fuselage body 2310,with hatch door 2380 in an open position. Tether 2348 and payloadcoupling apparatus 2346 have been pulled out of hatch door 2380 throughpayload coupling apparatus opening 2384 in a bottom surface of hatchdoor 2380 and payload coupling apparatus 2346 has been secured to handle2350 of top surface 2342 of payload 2340. Thus, payload couplingapparatus 2346 is shown secured to handle 2350 of payload 2340 beforehatch door 2380 is closed onto fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. Thebottom surface of hatch door 2380 includes a handle slot 2386 toaccommodate handle 2350 of payload 2340 when hatch door 2380 is closedand positioned over the cargo bay. Tether 2348 is attached to a winchsystem positioned within hatch door 2380. In FIG. 46A, hatch door 2380is hingedly attached to fuselage body 2310 with hinges 2382 positionedon a lateral edge of fuselage body 2310. Hatch door 2380 is shown in anopen condition with the payload coupling apparatus 2346 pull down fromthe winch with a little slack on the tether. An operator places thepayload 2340 into the cargo bay and the payload 2340 and manuallyattaches the handle 2350 of the payload 2340 to the payload couplingapparatus 2346 and the slack in the tether is reduced which increasestension on the winch motor. The winch system senses the tension on thewinch motor, delays for a few moments, and then the winch slowlyretracts the tether onto the winch. A sprung open hinge on the cargo baydoor allows for constant tension as the cargo bay door is closed overthe payload.

FIG. 46B is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340secured to hatch door 2390 and being inserted into cargo bay 2420 infuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. In FIG. 46B, hatch door 2390 is securedto payload 2340 prior to positioning payload 2340 into the cargo bay infuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300.

FIG. 47A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340being inserted into cargo bay 2420 in fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300.Payload 2340 is shown being moved into position in the cargo bay offuselage body 2310, with hatch door 2400 in an open position. Tether2348 and payload coupling apparatus 2346 have been pulled out of hatchdoor 2400 through payload coupling apparatus opening 2484 in a bottomsurface of hatch door 2400 for subsequent attachment to handle 2350 oftop surface 2342 of payload 2340. Thus, payload coupling apparatus 2346is shown prior to being secured to handle 2350 of payload 2340 beforehatch door 2400 is closed onto fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. Thebottom surface of hatch door 2400 includes a handle slot 2486 toaccommodate handle 2350 of payload 2340 when hatch door 2400 is closedand positioned over the cargo bay 2420 in fuselage body 2310 of UAV2300. Tether 2342 is attached to a winch system positioned within hatchdoor 2400. In FIG. 47A, hatch door 2400 is hingedly attached to fuselagebody 2310 with hinges 2482 positioned on a longitudinal edge of fuselagebody 2310. A bar 2317 is shown laterally extending across a top of cargobay 2420 and a bottom surface of hatch door 2400 includes a barreceptacle 2486 to accommodate bar 2317.

FIG. 47B is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2340positioned in cargo bay 2420 in the fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300.Payload 2340 has been moved into position in the cargo bay of fuselagebody 2310, with hatch door 2450 in an open position. Tether 2348 andpayload coupling apparatus 2346 have been pulled out of hatch door 2450through payload coupling apparatus opening 2490 in a bottom surface ofhatch door 2450 for subsequent attachment to handle 2350 of top surface2342 of payload 2340. Thus, payload coupling apparatus 2346 is shownprior to being secured to handle 2350 of payload 2340 before hatch door2450 is closed onto fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. The bottom surfaceof hatch door 2450 includes a handle slot 2492 to accommodate handle2350 of payload 2340 when hatch door 2450 is closed and positioned overthe cargo bay 2420 in fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. Tether 2348 isattached to a winch system positioned within hatch door 2450. In FIG.47B, hatch door 2450 is hingedly attached to fuselage body 2310 withhinges 2483 positioned on a lateral edge of fuselage body 2310. A bar2317 is shown laterally extending across a top of cargo bay 2420.

FIG. 48A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2440prior to being positioned in cargo bay 2420 of fuselage body 2310 of UAV2300, and FIG. 48B is a close up perspective view of payload 2440 priorto insertion of payload 2440 into cargo bay 2420 of fuselage body 2310of UAV 2300, and prior to insertion of handle 2350 into handle slot 2375in the upper portion 2315 of fuselage body 2310. In FIGS. 48A and 48B, anose section 2500 of UAV 2300 has been has been moved upwardly usinghinges 2525 attached to nose section 2500 and fuselage body 2310allowing access for payload 2440 to be moved into cargo bay 2375 infuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. Payload 2440 includes handle 2350positioned on top of payload 2440. Handle 2350 includes an opening 2352configured to receive a lip of a payload coupling apparatus (describedabove) to secure payload 2440 to the payload coupling apparatuspositioned within an upper portion 2315 above cargo bay 2375 of fuselagebody 2310. Handle 2352 is also equipped with apertures 2354 a and 2354 bthrough which mounting pins (shown above) may extend through. A firstend of a tether 2348 is attached to a winch system positioned withinupper portion 2315 of fuselage body 2310, and a second end of the tether2348 is attached to a payload coupling apparatus 2346 also positionedwithin upper portion 2315 of fuselage body 2310 (see FIG. 46A).

Upper portion 2315 of fuselage body 2310 includes a vertical handle slot2375 to accommodate handle 2350 of payload 2440 when payload 2440 isinserted into cargo bay 2375. Once handle 2350 is inserted throughvertical handle slot 2375 it is secured to the payload couplingapparatus 2346 by extending a lip of payload coupling apparatus 2346through opening 2352 of handle 2350 of payload 2340 or 2341. The payloadcoupling apparatus 2346 may be biased towards the handle 2350 of thepayload 2440 to facilitate entry of the lip of payload couplingapparatus 2346 into opening 2352 of handle 2350. As shown in FIG. 48B,vertical handle slot 2375 includes curved lead in surfaces 2379 a, 2379b, and 2379 c surrounding the vertical handle slot 2375 to guide thehandle 2352 of the payload 2440 into the vertical handle slot 2375. Inaddition, upon entry into the cargo bay, the handle 2352 of the payload2440 may be slightly bent and deformed to allow the payload couplingapparatus 2346 that is positioned in a known and fixed orientationbehind the handle slot 2375 to engage and secure the handle 2352 of thepayload 2440 as the payload coupling apparatus 2346 is pulled upwardly.

FIG. 49A is a perspective top view of UAV 2300 illustrating payload 2440prior to being positioned in cargo bay 2420 of fuselage body 2310 of UAV2300, and FIG. 49B is a close up perspective view of payload 2440 priorto insertion of payload 2440 into cargo bay 2420 of fuselage body 2310of UAV 2300. In FIGS. 49A and 49B, a nose section of UAV 2500 has beenhas been moved upwardly using hinges 2391 attached to nose section 2550and fuselage body 2310 allowing access for payload 2440 to be moved intocargo bay 2375 in fuselage body 2310 of UAV 2300. Payload 2440 includeshandle 2385 positioned on top of payload 2440. Handle 2385 includes anopening 2389 configured to receive a lip of a payload coupling apparatus(described above) to secure payload 2440 to the payload couplingapparatus positioned within an upper portion 2315 above cargo bay 2430of fuselage body 2310. A first end of a tether 2348 is attached to awinch system positioned within upper portion 2315 of fuselage body 2310,and a second end of the tether 2348 is attached to a payload couplingapparatus 2346 also positioned within upper portion 2315 of fuselagebody 2310. (see FIG. 46A).

Upper portion 2315 of fuselage body 2310 includes a vertical handle slot2575 to accommodate handle 2385 of payload 2440 when payload 2440 isinserted into cargo bay 2375. Once handle 2350 is inserted throughvertical handle slot 2375 it is secured to the payload couplingapparatus 2346 by extending a lip of payload coupling apparatus 2346through opening 2389 of handle 2385 of payload 2440. A top of handle2389 also includes a horizontal flange 2387, and a horizontal opening2562 with edges 2560 is positioned in the upper portion 2315 of thefuselage body 2310 above the vertical handle slot 2575 to receive thehorizontal flange 2387 on the top of the handle 2385 of the payload2440. The payload coupling apparatus 2346 may be biased towards thehandle 2389 of the payload 2440 to facilitate entry of the lip ofpayload coupling apparatus 2346 into opening 2389 of handle 2385. Asshown in FIGS. 49A and 49B, vertical handle slot 2575 includes curvedlead in surfaces 2579 a and 2579 b surrounding the vertical handle slot2575 to guide the handle 2385 of the payload 2440 into the verticalhandle slot 2575.

FIG. 50A is a perspective view illustrating hatch door 2600 beinglowered onto payload 2340, FIG. 50B is a perspective view illustratinghatch door 2600 being lowered onto payload 2340, with handle 2350 ofpayload 2340 entering a bottom surface of hatch door 2600, and FIG. 50Cis a perspective view of hatch door 2600 secured to payload 2340. Afirst end of a tether 2348 is attached to a winch system positionedwithin hatch door 2600, and a second end of the tether 2348 is attachedto a payload coupling apparatus 2346 also positioned within hatch door2600. A handle 2610 is positioned on a top surface of hatch door 2600and is used to lower hatch door 2600 onto payload 2340. When hatch door2600 is lowered onto payload 2340, the payload coupling apparatus 2346within the hatch door 2600 is secured to the payload coupling apparatus2346 by extending a lip of payload coupling apparatus 2346 throughopening 2352 of handle 2350 of payload 2440. The payload couplingapparatus 2346 may be biased towards the handle 2350 of the payload 2340to facilitate entry of the lip of payload coupling apparatus 2346 intoopening 2352 of handle 2350. In addition, upon entry into the cargo bay,the handle 2352 of the payload 2440 may be slightly bent and deformed toallow the payload coupling apparatus 2346 that is positioned in a knownand fixed orientation within the hatch door 2600 above a handle slot toengage and secure the handle 2352 of the payload 2440 as the handle 2352of of payload 2440 is moved upwardly through the handle slot in hatchdoor 2600.

FIG. 51A is a perspective view of hatch door 2600 secured to payload2340 positioned above cargo bay 2720 of fuselage body 2710 of UAV 2700,and FIG. 51B is a another perspective view of hatch door 2600 secured topayload 2340 positioned above cargo bay 2720 of fuselage body 2710 ofUAV 2700.

FIG. 51C is a perspective view of hatch door 2600 positioned in fuselagebody 2710 of UAV 2700, and FIG. 51D is a another perspective view ofhatch door 2600 positioned in fuselage body 2710 of UAV 2700.

The particular arrangements shown in the Figures should not be viewed aslimiting. It should be understood that other implementations may includemore or less of each element shown in a given Figure. Further, some ofthe illustrated elements may be combined or omitted. Yet further, anexemplary implementation may include elements that are not illustratedin the Figures.

Additionally, while various aspects and implementations have beendisclosed herein, other aspects and implementations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. The various aspects and implementationsdisclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intendedto be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims. Other implementations may be utilized, and otherchanges may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of thesubject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that theaspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, andillustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined,separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations,all of which are contemplated herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: afuselage body including: a cavity that forms a cargo bay fortransporting a payload; an access opening positioned in the cargo bayadapted to receive the payload; a winch system positioned in an upperportion of the fuselage body above the cargo bay, the winch systemconfigured to suspend the payload within the cargo bay; wherein a tetherhas a first end attached to the winch system and a second end attachedto a payload coupling apparatus; wherein the payload coupling apparatusincludes a downwardly extending slot positioned above a lip of thepayload coupling apparatus, the lip of the payload coupling apparatus isconfigured to extend through an opening in a handle of the payload tosecure the payload coupling apparatus to the handle of the payload; andwherein the upper portion of the fuselage body includes a verticalhandle slot for receiving the handle of the payload.
 2. The UAV of claim1, wherein the payload coupling apparatus is biased inwardly such thatthe lip of the payload is biased towards the opening of the handle ofthe payload.
 3. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the handle slot in the upperportion of the fuselage body includes curved lead in surfaces to guidethe handle of the payload into the handle slot.
 4. The UAV of claim 1,wherein a top of the handle of the payload includes a horizontal flange;and wherein a horizontal opening is positioned in the upper portion ofthe fuselage body above the handle slot to receive the horizontal flangeon the top of the handle of the payload.
 5. The UAV of claim 1, whereina nose section of the fuselage body is removably attached to thefuselage body.
 6. The UAV of claim 1, wherein a nose section of thefuselage body is hingeably attached to the fuselage body.
 7. An unmannedaerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: a fuselage body including: a cavitythat forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload; an access openingpositioned in the cargo bay adapted to receive the payload; a winchsystem positioned in an upper portion of the fuselage body above thecargo bay, the winch system configured to suspend the payload within thecargo bay; wherein a tether has a first end attached to the winch systemand a second end attached to a payload coupling apparatus; wherein thepayload coupling apparatus includes a downwardly extending slotpositioned above a lip of the payload coupling apparatus, the lip of thepayload coupling apparatus configured to extend through an opening in ahandle of the payload to secure the payload coupling apparatus to thehandle of the payload; wherein a lower surface of the upper portion ofthe fuselage body includes a handle slot for receiving the handle of thepayload; and wherein when the payload is positioned in the cargo bay,the payload is upwardly movable to extend the handle of the through thehandle slot in the lower surface of the upper portion of the fuselagebody to secure the handle of the payload to the payload couplingapparatus.
 8. The UAV of claim 7, wherein the payload coupling apparatusis biased inwardly such that the lip of the payload is biased towardsthe opening of the handle of the payload.
 9. An unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) comprising: a fuselage body including: a cavity that forms a cargobay for transporting a payload; an access opening positioned in thecargo bay adapted to receive the payload; a hatch door configured to bepositioned over the cargo bay when the hatch door is in a closedposition; a winch system positioned in the hatch door, the winch systemconfigured to suspend the payload within the cargo bay; wherein a tetherhas a first end attached to the winch system and a second end attachedto a payload coupling apparatus; wherein the payload coupling apparatusincludes a downwardly extending slot positioned above a lip of thepayload coupling apparatus, the lip of the payload coupling apparatus isconfigured to extend through an opening in a handle of the payload tosecure the payload coupling apparatus to the handle of the payload;wherein a lower surface of the hatch door includes a handle slot forreceiving the handle of the payload; and wherein when the payload ispositioned in the cargo bay and the hatch door is in the closed positionover the cargo bay, the handle of the payload extends through the handleslot and the handle of the payload is secured to the payload couplingapparatus.
 10. The UAV of claim 9, wherein the hatch door is removablyattached to the fuselage body.
 11. The UAV of claim 10, wherein a handleis positioned on a top surface of the hatch door.
 12. The UAV of claim11, wherein the hatch door is positioned over and secured to the payloadprior to positioning the payload into the cargo bay.
 13. The UAV ofclaim 9, wherein the hatch door is hingedly attached to the fuselagebody.
 14. The UAV of claim 13, wherein the hatch door is hingedlyattached to the fuselage body along a lateral extending upper edge ofthe cargo bay.
 15. The UAV of claim 13, wherein the hatch door ishingedly attached to the fuselage body along a longitudinally extendingupper edge of the cargo bay.
 16. A method comprising: providing anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a fuselage body having a cavitythat forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload, an access openingpositioned in the cargo bay adapted to receive the payload, a winchsystem positioned in an upper portion of the fuselage body above thecargo bay, the winch system configured to suspend the payload within thecargo bay, wherein a tether has a first end attached to the winch systemand a second end attached to a payload coupling apparatus, wherein thepayload coupling apparatus includes a downwardly extending slotpositioned above a lip of the payload coupling apparatus, the lip of thepayload coupling apparatus is configured to extend through an opening ina handle of the payload to secure the payload coupling apparatus to thehandle of the payload, and wherein the upper portion of the fuselagebody includes a vertical handle slot for receiving the handle of thepayload; moving the payload into the cargo bay; moving the handle of thepayload through the vertical handle slot in the upper portion of thefuselage body; and moving the lip of the payload coupling apparatusthrough the opening in the handle of the payload to secure the payloadto the payload coupling apparatus.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein atop of the handle of the payload includes a horizontal flange, wherein ahorizontal opening is positioned in the upper portion of the fuselagebody above the handle slot to receive the horizontal flange on the topof the handle of the payload; and further including moving thehorizontal flange through the horizontal opening positioned in the upperportion of the fuselage body.
 18. A method comprising: providing anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a fuselage body having a cavitythat forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload, an access openingpositioned in the cargo bay adapted to receive the payload, a winchsystem positioned in an upper portion of the fuselage body above thecargo bay, the winch system configured to suspend the payload within thecargo bay, wherein a tether has a first end attached to the winch systemand a second end attached to a payload coupling apparatus, wherein thepayload coupling apparatus includes a downwardly extending slotpositioned above a lip of the payload coupling apparatus, the lip of thepayload coupling apparatus is configured to extend through an opening ina handle of the payload to secure the payload coupling apparatus to thehandle of the payload, wherein a lower surface of the upper portion ofthe fuselage body includes a handle slot for receiving the handle of thepayload, and wherein when the payload is positioned in the cargo bay,the payload is upwardly movable to extend the handle of the payloadthrough the handle slot in the lower surface of the upper portion of thefuselage body to secure the handle of the payload to the payloadcoupling apparatus; moving the payload into the cargo bay; moving thepayload upwardly to move the handle of the payload through the verticalhandle slot in the lower surface of the upper portion of the fuselagebody; and moving the lip of the payload coupling apparatus through theopening in the handle of the payload to secure the payload to thepayload coupling apparatus.
 19. A method comprising: providing anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a fuselage body having a cavitythat forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload, an access openingpositioned in the cargo bay adapted to receive the payload, a hatch doorconfigured to be positioned over the cargo bay when the hatch door is ina closed position, a winch system positioned in the hatch door, thewinch system configured to suspend the payload within the cargo bay,wherein a tether has a first end attached to the winch system and asecond end attached to a payload coupling apparatus, wherein the payloadcoupling apparatus includes a downwardly extending slot positioned abovea lip of the payload coupling apparatus, the lip of the payload couplingapparatus is configured to extend through an opening in a handle of thepayload to secure the payload coupling apparatus to the handle of thepayload, wherein a lower surface of the hatch door includes a handleslot for receiving the handle of the payload, and wherein when thepayload is positioned in the cargo bay and the hatch door is in theclosed position over the cargo bay, the handle of the payload extendsthrough the handle slot and the handle of the payload is secured to thepayload coupling apparatus; moving the payload into the cargo bay; andmoving the hatch door into a closed position where the handle of thepayload is moved through the handle slot to secure the handle of thepayload to the payload coupling apparatus.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the door hatch door is positioned over the payload and thehandle of the payload is secured to the payload coupling apparatus priorto moving the payload into the cargo bay and prior to moving the hatchdoor into the closed position.